Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Nock, Kerry T..
An inflatable aerodynamic deceleration method and system is provided for use with an atmospheric entry payload. The inflatable aerodynamic decelerator includes an inflatable envelope and an inflatant, wherein the inflatant is configured to fill the inflatable envelope to an inflated state such that the inflatable envelope surrounds the atmospheric entry payload, causing aerodynamic forces to decelerate the atmospheric entry payload.
Ballons systems which operate under robotic contol, called aerobots, offer rich potential for exploration of the planets. Telerobotics technology allows an aerobot to control its vertical motion and exploit prevailing winds to autonomously move to different planetery locations.
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The exploration of the solar system has proceeded in several phases beginning with flyby missions, proceeding to orbiters, then to probes and landers and finally mobile vehicles that operate on the surface and in its atmosphere. For the most accessible planetary bodies, Venus and Mars, we are now entering the phase of mobile exploration of the surface and atmosphere.
The development of the Lunar Get-Away Special (GAS) canister to search for water on the moon is discussed. The possibility of detecting water on the moon with a gamma-ray spectrometer in a close polar orbit is reviewed. The Lunar GAS configuration, payloads, and subsystems, and a mission scenario are described. The Lunar GAS has a total mass of 150 kg and would require only 33 kg of xenon gas propellant to reach lunar orbit after a launch by the Space Shuttle.