A Conceptual Modeling Approach for Performance of Magnetohydrodynamic Drag During Planetary Entry

Abstract

Future higher-mass Mars missions present numerous engineering challenges and will require significant technological development, particularly of the entry, descent, and landing systems. One such development concept utilizes magnetohydrodynamic interaction with the plasma created during hypersonic planetary entry for energy generation, drag augmentation, and heat-flux mitigation. In this study, a performance estimation methodology for magnetohydrodynamic drag augmentation during Mars entry compatible with conceptual design is developed. A demonstrative investigation utilizing the developed methodology is then conducted, and simulated trajectory results are presented for various entry vehicles and magnetic field strengths. The study results show potential for significant magnetohydrodynamic drag augmentation during hypersonic entry at Mars, with calculated effective ballistic coefficient- reduction factors of up to 4, across entry vehicles ranging in mass from 70 MT to 4 MT. These results show that magnetohydrodynamic drag augmentation can have comparable impact to significant aeroshell diameter increases and also suggest that it could prove an effective form of drag-augmentation control authority by varying the applied magnetic field.