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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
New technology must be developed to enable higher mass payloads to land on Mars in scientifically interesting locations. The goal of this project is to investigate the potential of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) forces as a control mechanism to decelerate the vehicle and target a landing site. The vehicle supplies a magnetic field that interacts with reentry plasma at high velocities to augment lift and drag forces on the vehicle. The strength and orientation of the field can control the magnitude and direction of the MHD force. A simulation will be written to determine the control authority the vehicle could have with an MHD subsystem using current technology.
Besides control, there are many other functions MHD can provide, such as lowering peak heating and acceleration by manipulating the flow. An optimal control problem will be solved with constraints on heating and acceleration for missions of various sizes. The solution will provide information on the control profile that must be used to achieve a desired state. The anticipated forces and energy draw during entry will be recorded and used to back out system requirements for an MHD system. A detailed subsystem design will bring MHD closer to integration on a mission and provide a mass and power budget for future studies.
The goal of this project is to investigate the potential of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) forces as a control mechanism to decelerate the vehicle and target a landing site. A detailed subsystem design will bring MHD closer to integration on a mission and provide a mass and power budget for future studies.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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