Orbit Plan and Mission Design for Mars EDL and Surface Exploration Technologies Demonstrator

Abstract

Mars EDL (entry, descent and landing) and surface exploration demonstration working group in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has assessed and discussed feasibility of a Martian rover mission to be launched in early 2020s. The primary objectives of this mission are to demonstrate technologies required for EDL and surface exploration of a massive planet with an atmosphere, to investigate Martian geochronology and to search for signs of lives, past or present, and to determine when the ocean was lost in the Martian history. The launch date is targeted in early 2020's in our study. In this paper, we investigate launch opportunities during 2020's and propose several launch windows considering some system requirements. Feasible interplanetary transfer trajectories from Earth to Mars are proposed. Assuming direct entry and following aerodynamic guidance in Martian atmosphere, we connected interplanetary and aerodynamic trajectories so as to land on an aimed point. Precision analysis of orbit determination at the entry and landing is also shown.