AAS 98-112

MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR AEROBRAKING AT MARS

M. D. Johnson, P. B. Esposito, V. Alwar - Jet Propulsion Laboratory; S. W. Demcak - OAO Corporation; E. J. Graat, R. A. Mase - JPL

Abstract

On September 12, 1997, the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft was successfully inserted into a highly elliptical capture orbit about Mars. To establish the required mapping orbit, the MGS spacecraft must supplement its propulsive capabilities by aerobraking. This paper describes the baseline aerobraking strategy in place for the MGS mission following the capture in September 1997. This description includes the aerobraking constraints imposed on the trajectory design, the trajectory control methodology, key aerobraking metrics, and the operational implementation. This paper also describes the current aerobraking flight profile and contrasts the initial results achieved to date against that profile.

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