NASA Ames Research Center has been studying the feasibility of vertical lift aerial vehicles to support planetary science and exploration missions. Besides Earth, it appears that there are three planetary bodies within our solar system where vertical flight might not only be theoretically feasible, but would also have unique mission capabilities that no other platform (ground-based, aerial, or orbital) could provide. Several vertical lift vehicle configurations might be applicable for planetary science missions. This paper presents a few representative conceptual design cases and the design challenges inherent in their development. Finally, more detailed comments are directed to the issues inherent in developing a NASA 'Mars Scout' mission employing the use of a Martian autonomous rotorcraft.
Vertical Lift Planetary Aerial Vehicles: Three Planetary Bodies and Four Conceptual Design Cases
2001
19 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Aerodynamics , Astronautics , Unmanned Spacecraft , Astrophysics , Drones , Planetary atmospheres , Symposia , Robotics , Vertical takeoff aircraft , Airships , Mars(Planet) , Ultralight aircraft , Venus(Planet) , Space exploration , Tilt rotor aircraft , Reynolds number , Autonomous navigation , Vertical lift planetary aerial vehicles , Rotorcrafts , Titan(Saturn moon) , Aeromechanics , Coaxial helicopters , Rtg(Radioisotope thermoelectric generators)
Design Opportunities and Challenges in the Development of Vertical Lift Planetary Aerial Vehicles
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000
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