Aerocapture technology developments by the in-space propulsion program

Audio Software icon An illustration of a 3. Software Images icon An illustration of two photographs. Images Donate icon An illustration of a heart shape Donate Ellipses icon An illustration of text ellipses. EMBED for wordpress. Want more? Advanced embedding details, examples, and help! The overwhelming conclusion from the review is that NASA is technologically ready to incorporate aerocapture for missions to Titan, Mars, and Venus. The team further concluded that there is no need to complete an aerocapture flight demonstration prior to implementing an aerocapture approach into a flight mission.

Implementation of aerocapture techniques may reduce the cost and increase the scientific potential of these missions, which are designed to expand our understanding about the content, origin, and evolution of the solar system.

The study team concluded that the technology is sufficiently mature for the use of aerocapture at several planetary destinations of interest. NASA may incorporate the use of aerocapture on upcoming flagship missions as appropriate.

Mar 18, Technology Development Aerocapture technologies have the potential to enable orbital missions to the outer planets and their satellites by the judicious use of aerodynamic forces in a planetary atmosphere. SMD investments in aeroshell and TPS technologies contributed to the successful Mars Science Laboratory mission whose aeroshell with the Curiosity Rover inside are shown above and will enable future aerocapture missions.

Technology Highlights Archive Technology Highlights Technology Highlights Human Robotic Systems: This project develops advanced robotics technology to amplify human productivity and reduce mission risk by improving the effectiveness of human-robot teams. Key technologies include teleoperation, human-robot interaction, robotic assistance, and surface mobility systems for low-gravity environments. Early demonstrations will focus on human teams interacting with multiple robotic systems.

Longer-term demonstrations will focus on enabling operations in remote, hostile environments with limited support from Earth. In-Situ Resource Utilization: This project will enable sustainable human exploration by using local resources. Research activities are aimed at using lunar, asteroid, and Martian materials to produce oxygen and extract water from ice reservoirs. A flight experiment to demonstrate lunar resource prospecting, characterization, and extraction will be considered for testing on a future robotic precursor exploration mission.

Concepts to produce fuel, oxygen, and water from the Martian atmosphere and from subsurface ice will also be explored. Life Support and Habitation Systems: This project develops technologies for highly reliable, closed-loop life support systems, radiation protection technology, environmental monitoring and control technologies, and technologies for fire safety to enable humans to live for long periods in deep-space environments.

Lightweight Spacecraft Materials and Structures: This project develops advanced materials and structures technology to enable lightweight systems to reduce mission cost. Technology development activities focus on structural concepts and manufacturing processes for large composite structures and cryogenic propellant tanks for heavy lift launch vehicles, and on fabric materials and structural concepts for inflatable habitats.

Advanced exploration systems incorporate new technologies to enable future capabilities for deep space exploration.