Vertical Lift Planetary Aerial Vehicles: Three Planetary Bodies and Four Conceptual Design Cases

Abstract

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.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA480699

Entities

People

  • Edwin W. Aiken
  • Larry A. Young

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Chemistry
  • Electric Motors
  • Energy
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Ground Based
  • Mach Number
  • Measurement
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Reconnaissance Aircraft
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Solar System
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers