Search Publications

Attitude and angular rates of planetary probes during atmospheric descent: Implications for imaging

Lorenz, Ralph D.

Attitude dynamics data from planetary missions are reviewed to obtain a zeroth-order expectation on the tilts and angular rates to be expected on atmospheric probes during descent: these rates are a strong driver on descent imager design. While recent Mars missions have been equipped with capable inertial measurements, attitude measurements for mi…

A new approach for estimating Titan's electron conductivity based on data from relaxation probe sensors on the Huygens experiment

Rodrigo, R.; Fulchignoni, M.; Ferri, F. +15 more

The Huygens Probe measured the electrical conductivity of Titan atmosphere from about 140 km down to the surface, employing relaxation and mutual impedance techniques. Previous analyses have shown some differences on the conductivity measurements obtained with two independent sensors - relaxation probe (RP) and mutual impedance probe (MIP). A 20-f…

Trajectory and atmospheric structure from entry probes: Demonstration of a real-time reconstruction technique using a simple direct-to-Earth radio link

Withers, Paul

The reconstruction of the trajectory and atmospheric structure associated with an entry probe has traditionally relied upon onboard accelerometer measurements. Here we outline an equivalent reconstruction technique that uses Doppler-shifted direct-to-Earth transmissions instead. A critical assumption is that the entry probe's angle of attack is ze…