Bantell, M. H. | Engineering Papers

NASA NTRS1973

Mariner Venus/Mercury 1973 navigation strategy

This paper presents the navigational aspects of the Mariner Venus/Mercury 1973 mission. Principal emphasis is on the development of the trajectory correction strategy, propellant costs, and delivery accuracies at Venus and Mercury. Key error sources and mission constraints are discussed. Of particular interest are the statistics of the first, post-Venus, maneuver which must correct for the magnification of errors in the Venus encounter. Finally, although not a primary objective of the mission, the analysis is extended to include a second Mercury encounter.

Mckinley, E. L.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Statistical error model for a solar electric propulsion thrust subsystem

The solar electric propulsion thrust subsystem statistical error model was developed as a tool for investigating the effects of thrust subsystem parameter uncertainties on navigation accuracy. The model is currently being used to evaluate the impact of electric engine parameter uncertainties on navigation system performance for a baseline mission to Encke's Comet in the 1980s. The data given represent the next generation in statistical error modeling for low-thrust applications. Principal improvements include the representation of thrust uncertainties and random process modeling in terms of random parametric variations in the thrust vector process for a multi-engine configuration.

Bantell, M. H.↗