| Popis: |
An exploratory study has been performed on applying modern, high lift-to-drag ratio waveriders to a number of missions in and through the atmosphere of Mars. Earlier studies have most commonly employed lower lift-to-drag ratio conical-based waverider designs. The recent Osculating Flowfield Waverider Method can generate vehicles with greater aerodynamic performance than those from earlier methods. This improved waverider performance has favorable impacts for most of the examined missions. Waverider vehicles have been applied to a variety of missions including, aero-gravity assist during fly-bys, aerobraking for orbit capture, lifting entry from entry interface to landing, lifting ascents of return vehicles such as for sample-return missions, and boost-glide missions for travel from one surface location to another. The greater lift-to-drag ratio available from modern waveriders is a significant enhancer for most of the missions examined where this ratio has a positive influence. |
