Stability analysis of Mars soft landing under uncertain landing conditions and two landing strategies

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the landing performance of the Mars lander considering uncertain landing conditions under two landing modes. Design/methodology/approach A dynamics analysis model for the legged Mars lander is established for landing simulation, where the nonlinear large-deformation flexible buffer rods are equivalently modeled with a rigid-body mechanism with external forces and movement limit. Sensitivities of the landing stability to various landing conditions are analyzed using the Quasi–Monte-Carlo-based Sobol’ method and computer-aided landing simulations. Moreover, based on the results of sensitivity analysis, sensitive parameters are selected for estimating the safe boundaries for stability indices of rotation and clearance. Findings It can be concluded from this study that the lander has excellent ability against overturning. The shutdown-before-touchdown strategy helps to maintain than landing pose, and the shutdown-at-touchdown strategy helps to prevent the nozzle from colliding with the surface of Mars. Practical implications This study provides a theoretical reference to choose the better landing strategies for Mars landers considering uncertain landing conditions. Originality/value A parameterized dynamics Mars lander model and a simplification method are proposed to simulate the landing on Mars. Uncertain landing conditions are parameterized and considered in the dynamics model. Sensitivity analysis and safe boundary methods are used to compare the landing performances with two landing strategies.