SH040-10
SmallSat Aerocapture: Enabling ESPA-class Science Orbiters Using Rideshare Launch Opportunities
Monday, 14 December 2020: 16:27
Virtual
Alex Austin1, Adam Nelessen2, Marcus A Lobbia3, Joshua Ravich2, Liz Luthman2, Bill Strauss2, Aaron Schutte2, David Skulsky2, Matt Jadusingh2, Brian Kennedy2, Damon Landau4, Ethiraj Venkatapathy5, Paul Wercinski6, Alan Cassell6, Bryan Yount6, Peter Gage6, Owen Nishioka6, Ryan McDaniel6, Antonella Alunni6 and Michael Wilder6, (1)JPL/NASA/Caltech, Pasadena, United States, (2)JPL/NASA/Caltech, Pasadena, CA, United States, (3)Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, United States, (4)Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, United States, (5)NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, United States, (6)NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
Abstract:
The proliferation of ESPA-class rideshare is leading to a new era of planetary science exploration with small satellites. While secondary payload launches provide an opportunity for cost-efficient SmallSat science missions, there are numerous technical challenges to address to enable these small spacecraft to perform extended science observations from orbit. While much focus (and recent success with the MarCO spacecraft) has been on getting small satellites to deep space destinations, the journey to get there is only half of the challenge; the spacecraft must also be able to slow down to enter orbit. Traditional methods of orbit insertion have utilized a chemical propulsion system, requiring large amounts of propellant mass to enact changes of velocity. For any system, but especially a mass and volume constrained ESPA-class SmallSat, accommodating significant amounts of propellant can be prohibitive or impossible.
In order to enable small spacecraft to enter orbit at planetary destinations, significant recent technology development has focused on demonstrating aerocapture. Aerocapture uses the drag of a single pass through the atmosphere to capture into orbit instead of relying on large quantities of rocket fuel, allowing SmallSats to quickly and efficiently get to their destination and begin science observations. Using drag modulation flight control, an aerocapture vehicle adjusts its drag area during atmospheric flight, allowing it to target a particular orbit in the presence of navigational and atmospheric uncertainties (figure).
The aerocapture spacecraft is flexible to many different missions, able to take advantage of rideshare launch opportunities either going to another planet or performing a gravity assist flyby to carry a wide variety of SmallSat science payloads to orbit. Recent technology development progress has demonstrated the ability to target a specific orbit through a robust simulation toolset and Monte Carlo analyses, as well as assessed vehicle stability in the atmosphere through advanced CFD simulations and subscale ballistic range testing. Aerocapture allows us to utilize ESPA-class rideshare opportunities for a new era of cost-effective SmallSat planetary science missions, enabling these spacecraft to enter orbit.
