ADVANCES OF AEROBRAKING TECHNOLOGY IN THE PLANETARY MISSION

Aerobraking is becoming an efficient technique for the planetary mission. It uses planetary atmosphere drag to slow down the spacecraft and achieve the desired orbit, and this technique that allows reduced propellant mass can minimize the cost of the exploration mission and increase the payload capability. This paper describes the features of aerobraking operations and presents four NASA planetary missions having successfully used aerobraking technique. In particular, research progress in aerodynamics and trajectory simulation during aerobraking is reviewed, and the risks and cost analysis associated with aerobraking are summarized., Focuses in the studies on aerobraking technique are pointed out at the end of paper, and some suggestions about further investigations are also made.