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Olikara, Zubin

Publications and source records attributed to Olikara, Zubin.

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2020

Ice Giant Exploration via Autonomous Optical Navigation

Long communication delays and the expense of supporting large-scale, human-managed spacecraft operations are significant impediments to deep-space exploration; however, implementing autonomy on-board the spacecraft can help overcome these hurdles. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using on-board autonomous optical navigation techniques during approach to and proximity operations around the ice giants (i.e., Uranus and Neptune) while using the planets' satellites as optical beacons. Using beacon visibility and navigation uncertainties as metrics, we show what requirements (e.g., camera properties and beacon uncertainties) are needed to make these autonomously navigated missions feasible.

Olikara, Zubin↗
NASA NTRS2019

Navigation accuracy at Jupiter and Saturn using optical observations of planetary satellites

Autonomous on-board navigation has the potential to enable new types of missions and decrease reliance on NASA’s Deep Space Network for navigation purposes. Previous results have shown that navigating with only optical images of asteroids is feasible for inner planet cruise. In this study, we show that images of natural satellites can be used to navigate during approach and tour phases around the gas giants. We investigate the Jupiter and Saturn systems here, and specifically assess the performance of optical-only navigation for the Juno, Europa Clipper, and Cassini trajectories. Early approach phases and tours at Jupiter would require radiometric data to navigate, but the performance of optical-only data rivals the as-flown performance for Cassini at Saturn.

Broschart, Stephen B.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Low-thrust trajectory Bacon plots for Mars mission design

The best way to understand a mission design trade space is by creating a good map of all the possibilities, and by knowing how to read it. Bacon plots, which are low-thrust analogs to porkchop plots, give insight into key parameters and sensitivities of possible transfers to Mars (or other destinations). They are mission and parameter specific, and can be created to represent single or multiple legs. This paper outlines the creation process and lessons learned in interpreting the results. An example is given on how bacon plots have been employed for complex mission-level optimization.

Olikara, Zubin↗
NASA NTRS2019

Hybrid chemical-electric trajectories for a Mars Sample Return orbiter

The Earth return orbiter component of a Mars sample return campaign is a high total impulse mission with challenging timeline constraints. These competing demands mean a hybrid chemical-electric propulsion architecture may be needed for a feasible design, with chemical propulsion providing timely impulse and electric propulsion providing high volume impulse. We describe an approach to map out the hybrid trajectory design space and create a database to use in conjunction with a spacecraft design tool, enabling co-optimization of trajectory and spacecraft. This method is applied to both the outbound and inbound legs of a Mars sample return mission concept.

Lock, Rob↗
NASA NTRS2019

Simulaneous optimization of spacecraft and trajectory design for interplanetary missions utilizing solar electric propulsion

A major challenge in formulating interplanetary mission concepts utilizing electric propulsion is the large number of trajectory variables that must be considered (thrust profile, flyby options, launch vehicle delivery), all of which are affected by spacecraft design variables (power, mass, thruster, payload, staging). This is significantly more complex than traditional ballistic/chemical mission design and early concepts are often suboptimal as a result, potentially missing valuable options. This paper presents a novel tool (MORT) for simultaneously optimizing the spacecraft design alongside the trajectory given mission constraints and objectives, including example results relevant to the exploration of Mars.

Lock, Rob↗
NASA NTRS2019

Potential campaign architectures and mission design challenges for near-term international Mars Sample Return mission concepts

Mars Sample Return (MSR) continues to be a high priority in the planetary science community and a decades-long goal of international planetary exploration programs. Options for architectures and mission concepts are currently under study by NASA and ESA to find potential partnership opportunities to achieve MSR in the 2020s. The major elements of a potential MSR campaign have significant architectural flexibility and mission launch, arrival, and return options. The decision criteria often depend on mission design and functional allocations across many elements. This paper outlines the reference architecture and key trades among the campaign elements.

Olikara, Zubin↗