Tree Based Trajectory Planning for Mars Aerocapture
Anjan Chakrabarty, Sean Shan‐Min Swei, Dinesh Prabhu · AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference · 2016
This paper develops a tree based trajectory planning for Mars aerocapture mission for large payloads. ADEPT (Adaptable Deployable Entry & Placement Technology) is a novel planetary entry concept that utilizes a mechanically deployable aero-shell with a flexible carbon fabric that can be used as control actuator. This concept has the potential to modulate not only the bank angle but also the angle of attack, giving an additional degree of control authority for planetary entry maneuver. This paper introduces a tree based guidance algorithm for ADEPT planetary entry vehicle. Tree branches are calculated based on available control authority, and the feasible branches are selected based on maximum energy depletion for aerocapture maneuver. Simulation results show the efficacy of the proposed method of finding feasible aerocapture trajectories. The developed trajectories can be shaped according to the desired exit conditions and is robust to variations in initial conditions.