Mars atmospheric characterization with a ChipSat swarm

Timmons, T. , Bailet, G. , Beeley, J. and McInnes, C. (2021) Mars atmospheric characterization with a ChipSat swarm. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 58(5), pp. 1453-1460. (doi: 10.2514/1.A34970)

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Abstract

A mission scenario is proposed, where a large number of centimeter-scale femto-spacecraft are dispersed from a CubeSat piggyback payload on a future Mars mission. This swarm would deliver real-time massively parallel sensing throughout entry, descent, and landing with in-orbit measurements, atmospheric characterization during descent, and even surface science upon landing. Because few entry profiles exist at present for the in situ atmospheric modeling of Mars, a ChipSat swarm offers a promising tool for cost-effective atmospheric characterization that could lower risks for ongoing Mars exploration programs.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Colin McInnes acknowledges support from a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. Thomas Timmons acknowledges the support of an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council studentship (EP/R513222/1).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Beeley, Dr James and BAILET, Dr Rer Nat Gilles and Timmons, Thomas and McInnes, Professor Colin
Authors: Timmons, T., Bailet, G., Beeley, J., and McInnes, C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
Publisher:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
ISSN:0022-4650
ISSN (Online):1533-6794
Published Online:31 March 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 58(5): 1453-1460
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
305200DTP 2018-19 University of GlasgowMary Beth KneafseyEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/R513222/1MVLS - Graduate School