Date of Award
January 2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics
Department
Aeronautics and Astronautics
First Advisor
Michael J Grant
Committee Member 1
Michael J Grant
Committee Member 2
James M Longuski
Committee Member 3
Charles R Kenley
Abstract
Supersonic retropropulsion (SRP) is the use of retrorockets to decelerate during atmospheric flight while the vehicle is still traveling in the supersonic/hypersonic flight regime. In the context of Mars exploration, subsonic retropropulsion has a robust flight heritage for terminal landing guidance and control, but all supersonic deceleration has, to date, been performed by non-propulsive (i.e. purely aerodynamic) methods, such as aeroshells and parachutes.
Recommended Citation
Fagin, Max Harrison, "Payload Mass Improvements of Supersonic Retropropulsive Flight for Human Class Mission to Mars" (2015). Open Access Theses. 1199.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_theses/1199