An All-in-One Unpowered Mars Rover integrated with EDL System

Abstract

An all-in-one unpowered Mars rover functions as an entry, descent, and landing (EDL) system during atmospheric entry, an airbag at landing, and an unpowered rover at Mars surface with an inflated spherical structure. This rover can access attractive but risky areas, where typical rovers cannot access. This study considers the feasibility of this rover in terms of EDL and roving, and demonstrates the required rover configuration that enables both robustness in EDL and mobility on Mars surface.