Entry, Descent and Landing Using Ballutes

Abstract

The In Space Propulsion Program is funding a team lead by Kevin Miller at Ball Aerospace. This team of Industry, NASA, and Academic researchers is actively pursuing ballute technology development, with very promising results. The focus of that study has been to maximize the payload that is put into orbit (around Titan, Neptune, and Mars). So far the mass associated with the ballute has been minimized, because it was being thrown away. If an instrument package is attached to the Ballute, it will eventually land on the surface. Thus, the Ballute can do double duty: Aerocapture the Orbiter and Soft-land a set of instruments on the surface.