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Overview of the MEDLI ProjectThe Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI) Project s objectives are to measure aerothermal environments, sub-surface heatshield material response, vehicle orientation, and atmospheric density for the atmospheric entry and descent phases of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) entry vehicle. The flight science objectives of MEDLI directly address the largest uncertainties in the ability to design and validate a robust Mars entry system, including aerothermal, aerodynamic and atmosphere models, and thermal protection system (TPS) design. The instrumentation suite will be installed in the heatshield of the MSL entry vehicle. The acquired data will support future Mars entry and aerocapture missions by providing measured atmospheric data to validate Mars atmosphere models and clarify the design margins for future Mars missions. MEDLI thermocouple and recession sensor data will significantly improve the understanding of aeroheating and TPS performance uncertainties for future missions. MEDLI pressure data will permit more accurate trajectory reconstruction, as well as separation of aerodynamic and atmospheric uncertainties in the hypersonic and supersonic regimes. This paper provides an overview of the project including the instrumentation design, system architecture, and expected measurement response.
Document ID
20080013510
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gazarik, Michael J. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Little, Alan (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Cheatwood, F. Neil (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wright, Michael J. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Herath, Jeff A. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Martinez, Edward R. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Munk, Michelle (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Novak, Frank J. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wright, Henry S. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 2008
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation And Astrionics
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2008 IEEE Aerospace Conference
Location: Big Sky, MT
Country: United States
Start Date: March 1, 2008
End Date: March 8, 2008
Sponsors: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 599489.02.07.07.04.33.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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