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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Engel, Daniel Louis

Contributors dc:contributor

• Putnam, Zachary R

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

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 by Daniel L. Engel

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F115817