Aerocapture Ballutes Versus Aerocapture Tethers for Exploration of the Solar System

摘要

Previous literature indicates that aerocapture with ballutes may provide significant mass advantages overntraditional propulsive orbit capture. The possibility of using ballutes in the exploration of the atmosphere-bearingnbodies in the solar systemis considered, includingVenus, Earth,Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Titan,Uranus, andNeptune.nThe mass cost of ballute aerocapture is compared with propulsive capture and with previous work in which tethersnare used for aerocapture in solar system exploration. Although both ballute and tether technologies require furthernanalysis in the areas of structures, materials, and guidance, both systems offer attractive advantages overnaerocapture with aeroshells and over propulsive capture.