Performance assessment of Mars entry systems with flap-based trajectory control

Engel, Daniel Louis

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115817 Copy

Description

Title

Performance assessment of Mars entry systems with flap-based trajectory control

Author(s)

Engel, Daniel Louis

Issue Date

2022-04-26

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Putnam, Zachary R

Department of Study

Aerospace Engineering

Discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Entry
• Planetary entry
• Entry, descent and landing
• EDL
• Hypersonic
• Hypersonic flaps
• Flaps
• Flap-steering
• Entry vehicle control surfaces
• Bank-angle steering
• Direct force control
• DFC
• Aerodynamic control authority
• Range capability
• Response time
• Aerodynamic trim
• Flight mechanics
• Guidance, navigation and control
• GNC

Abstract

Previous Mars entry, descent, and landing systems have utilized bank-angle steering during the hypersonic phase of entry to control range. An alternate solution for hypersonic steering is a set of independently-articulated aerodynamic flaps. Deflecting these flaps results in trim at non-zero angles of attack and sideslip angles, enabling the vehicle to generate lift in arbitrary directions. This study compares current state-of-the-art bank-angle steering to flap-based steering across several theoretical performance metrics, including aerodynamic control authority, range capability, and response time. The concepts of effective bank angle and effective lift-to-drag ratio are developed to compare the control authority between flap configurations and to bank-angle steering systems. The shape of the non-axisymmetric control authority depends on the flap placement, area, and number of flaps, however flap-based steering systems likely require a mechanism for roll or bank in order to have a uniform control authority. Aerodynamic control authority is also mapped to a range capability. Flap-steering vehicles exhibit range capabilities with markedly different shapes relative to bank-angle steering vehicles with equivalent maximum hypersonic lift-to-drag ratios. For near-equivalent attitude maneuvers, flap steering vehicles are found to be able to rotate directly between angular positions and have both a more uniform and faster response time relative to bank-angle steering vehicles.

Graduation Semester

2022-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 by Daniel L. Engel

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