Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published January 11, 2021 | public
Book Section - Chapter

Wind Lidars for Aero-Assisted Entry, Descent, and Landing on Mars

Abstract

NASA seeks to safely and consistently deliver 20 metric tons of payload to within 50m of the intended location on Mars. A study has been conducted to evaluate the utility of wind lidars to aid in aero-assisted entry, descent, and precision landing of vehicles carrying these payloads. Numerical simulation found that coherent-Doppler, infrared, aerosol-backscatter wind lidars on the Martian surface can measure winds nominally over a 15km radius hemisphere using eye-safe laser energies and optical apertures similar to those commercially available for terrestrial airport support. Such ground-based wind measurements around the target delivery site are useful for determining when to initiate atmospheric entry. Initial analyses of direct-Doppler, ultraviolet, molecular-backscatter wind lidars demonstrate forward-looking measurement of wind speed, atmospheric temperature, atmospheric density, and vehicle flight attitude beyond the vehicle boundary layer. These measurements would enable controlled flight of an aero-assisted cargo vehicle to the designated landing site.

Additional Information

This material is declared a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States.

Additional details

Created:
August 20, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023