Analysis and Test Validation to Develop Mars Science Laboratory EDL Loads - Mobility Deploy Event

摘要

The Mars Science Laboratory mission will use the Skycrane maneuver at the end of the Entry Descent and Landing sequence to gently deliver a 900kg rover to the surface of Mars. In the final few seconds of that maneuver, the spacecraft will undergo two simultaneous deployments, that of the rover below the rocket controlled descent stage, and the deployment of the rover's mobility system. This coupled deployment phase is the source of driving loads on both the rover deployment mechanism (the Bridle Umbilical Device) and on the mobility system. This paper describes the deployment scenario in detail, describes the computational models used to predict the loads, discusses key results and sensitivities in the predicted load, and describes the experimental model validation program. This work presents a successful attempt to employ both deterministic and statistical loads prediction approaches for this complex process, and calls attention to the importance of accurately capturing load path details in joints. Judged from an overall perspective, the loads model was most successful for predicting loads and speeds in the Bridle Umbilical Device, and had the most difficulty predicting loads throughout a redundant load path in the suspension system.