Design Opportunities and Challenges in the Development of Vertical Lift Planetary Aerial Vehicles

Abstract

The next few years promise a unique convergence of NASA aeronautics and space programs. NASA planetary science missions are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. This will ultimately culminate, in part, in the development of planetary aerial vehicles "PAVs". Early work in this area has principally focused on conceptual design of fixed-wing aircraft configurations for Mars exploration. However, autonomous vertical lift vehicles hold considerable potential for supporting planetary science and exploration missions. This paper discusses in a general sense the technical opportunities and challenges in developing autonomous vertical lift PAVs. Through this discussion a vision for using PAVs in planetary exploration is presented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA480537

Entities

People

  • Edwin W. Aiken
  • Geoffrey A. Briggs
  • Larry A. Young
  • Robert T. Chen

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Autonomous Systems
  • Equations Of State
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Mach Number
  • Planetary Atmospheres
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Short Takeoff Aircraft
  • Solar System
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers