Analysis and Optimization of the Recovered ESA Huygens Mission

Details Analysis and Optimization of the Recovered ESA Huygens Mission Analysis and Optimization of the Recovered ESA Huygens Mission

Jun 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002mst..........1k&link_type=abstract

Master Thesis, Graz University of Technology

Statistics

Computation

Cassini/Huygens Mission, Huygens Probe, Titan, Wind Models, Atmosphere Models

Scientific paper

The Huygens Probe is the ESA-provided element of the joint NASA/ESA Cassini - Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan. A recently discovered design flaw in the Huygens radio receiver onboard Cassini led to a significantly different mission geometry, redesigned and implemented by both the ESA Huygens and NASA Cassini project teams. A numerical integration of the Orbiter trajectory and the Huygens descent profile with simplified assumptions for Probe attitude and correlated aerodynamic aspects offered the opportunity to re-calculate key mission parameters, which depend on the relative geometry and motion of the bodies. This was a crucial step to assess whether science-imposed constraints were not violated. A review of existing Titan wind and atmosphere models and their physical background led to a subsequent parametric study of their impact on the supersonic entry phase, the parachute descent and finally the bodyfixed landing coordinates of the Probe. In addition to the deterministic (nominal) Probe trajectory, it is important to quantify the influence of various uncertainties that enter into the equations of motion on the results (e.g., state vectors, physical parameters of the environment and the Probe itself). This was done by propagating the system covariance matrix together with the nominal state vectors. A sophisticated Monte Carlo technique developed to save up computation time was then used to determine statistical percentiles of the key parameters. The Probe Orbiter link geometry was characterized by evaluating the link budget and received frequency at receiver level. In this calculation the spin of the Probe and the asymmetric gain pattern of the transmitting antennas was taken into account. The results were then used in a mathematical model that describes the tracking capability of the receiver symbol synchronizer. This allowed the loss of data during the mission to be quantified. A subsequent parametric study of different sets of mission parameters with the goal of minimizing the data losses and maximizing the overall mission robustness resulted in the recommendation to change the flyby altitude of the Orbiter from 65,000 km down to 60,000 km.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Analysis and Optimization of the Recovered ESA Huygens Mission does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Analysis and Optimization of the Recovered ESA Huygens Mission, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Analysis and Optimization of the Recovered ESA Huygens Mission will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1199456