ANNUAL
MATSON LECTURE
The driving requirement for design of a Mars Sample return mission is assuring
containment of the returned samples. The impact of this requirement on developmental
costs, mass allocation, and design approach of the Earth Entry Vehicle is significant.
A simple Earth entry vehicle is described which can meet these requirements
and safely transport the Mars Sample Return mission's sample through the Earth's
atmosphere to a recoverable location on the surface. Detailed analysis and test
are combined with probabilistic risk assessment to design this entirely passive
concept that circumvents the potential failure modes of a parachute terminal
descent system. The design also possesses features that mitigate other risks
during the entry, descent, landing and recovery phases. The results of a full-scale
drop test are summarized. Dr. Robert Mitcheltree is currently head of the Exploration
Engineering Office at NASA Langley Research Center. Over the past 10 years he
has worked on the entry systems for the Mars Pathfinder, Mars Microprobe, Stardust,
and Genesis Missions. He is currently involved with development of the Mars
Exploration Rover entry system, the Mars Sample Return Earth Entry Vehicle,
and the Mars '07 Smart Lander. Dr. Mitcheltree has been a member of AIAA since
1983.
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Date, Time, and Place: Wednesday, March 21, 2001 Ramada Inn Oyster Point 950 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. 6:00PM Social (Cash Bar) 6:30PM Dinner 7:30PM Program |
Menu: Chicken Wellingtonor Vegetarian Entree, Fresh Vegetable Medely, Red Bliss Potatoes, Garden Salad, Hot Rolls and Butter, Carrot Cake, Coffee/Tea/Decaf
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Cost: $10.00 for Members/Guests, $12.00 for Non-members, $8.00 for Student Members. Non-members joining AIAA at this event will receive a complementary dinner. Please pay at the door. Checks should be made out to AIAA.
Robin Hardy, 864-7159, r.c.hardy@larc.nasa.gov
Or Mohammad Takallu, 864-7671, m.a.takallu@larc.nasa.gov
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Last update: January 31, 2001