Transfer Trajectory Design for the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) Mission

Abstract

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission will determine the history of the loss of volatiles from the Martian atmosphere from a highly inclined elliptical orbit. MAVEN will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on an Atlas-V 401 during an extended 36-day launch period opening November 18, 2013. The MAVEN Navigation and Mission Design team performed a Monte Carlo analysis of the Type-II transfer to characterize; dispersions of the arrival B-Plane, trajectory correction maneuvers (TCMs), and the probability of Mars impact. This paper presents detailed analysis of critical MOI event coverage, maneuver constraints, deltaV-99 budgets, and Planetary Protection requirements.