Achieving a Closed Orbit Around Neptune Through Aerobraking
File(s)
Date
2011-05Author
Bartlein, Andrew R.
Brewer, Nicholas R.
Vasel, Justin A.
Advisor(s)
Stecher, George J.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Changing the orbit of a spacecraft requires large
changes in energy and angular momentum. If a spacecraft approaches a target planet with too much angular momentum, it will be routed around the planet and not captured into orbit. To be captured, the spacecraft must shed excess energy.
A method called "aerobraking" can be used
to slow the spacecraft down by letting it pass through the upper atmosphere of a planet to burn off excess energy. This study examines the parameters needed to break a spacecraft around Neptune using the process of aerobraking.
Subject
Neptune (Planet)--Orbit
Aerothermodynamics
Space vehicles
Posters
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/55360Description
Color poster with text and graphs.