Publication Date:
2019-07-13
Description:
On August 5, 2012, The Mars Science Laboratory mission successfully landed the largest interplanetary rover ever built, Curiosity, on the surface of Mars. The Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) phase of this mission was by far the most complex landing ever attempted on a planetary body. The Descent Stage Propulsion System played an integral and critical role during Curiosity's EDL. The Descent Stage Propulsion System was a one of a kind hydrazine propulsion system designed specifically for the EDL phase of the MSL mission. It was designed, built, and tested at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the design and development of the MSL Descent Stage Propulsion System. Driving requirements, system design, component selection, operational sequence of the system at Mars, new developments, and key challenges will be discussed.
Keywords:
Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance; Spacecraft Propulsion and Power
Type:
AAS 13-458
,
Space Flight Mechanics Meeting; Feb 10, 2013 - Feb 14, 2013; Kauai, HI; United States
Format:
text
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