DEVELOPMENT OF A MONTE CARLO MARS-GRAM MODEL FOR MARS 2001 AEROBRAKING SIMULATIONS

摘要

Atmospheric density data taken during the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) mission showed significant variability over the altitude ranges of interest for aero-braking. This paper presents the method by which MGS data was used to determine the statistical distribution of mean density, and the amplitude and phase of stationary atmospheric waves as a function of latitude. Using this information, a model was developed to implement the variations into Monte Carlo simulations for future missions to Mars, specifically the Mars 2001 Odyssey aerobraking mission scheduled begin in October, 2001. An example of Monte Carlo results for the Mars 2001 aerobraking mission are shown.