Topic 5: Entry, Descent & Landing (POC: Ron Merski – n.r.merski@nasa.gov)

• Advanced EDL architecture approaches
• Advanced EDL vehicle concepts – small spacecraft
• EDL systems analysis (empirical performance assessment tools, packaging)
• Aero-assist technologies — Aerocapture concepts
• Aero maneuvering technologies – trim tabs, morphing, RCS, magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD)
• Decelerator technologies – ballutes, parachutes, supersonic retro-propulsion, hypersonic inflatable aerodecelerators (HIADs)
• High end computing for EDL modeling — GPUs
• Flight mechanics and GNC methods
• Atmospheric model development
• Computational fluid dynamics methods and modeling
• Rarefied flow computations — DSMC
• Complex fluid dynamics characterization — plume surface interaction, supersonic retro-propulsion, RCS
• Unsteady aerodynamics measurement approaches
• Wind tunnel (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, hypersonic) aero and aeroheating instrumentation, flow characterization methods (MDOE), and testing approaches
• Entry systems structures, composites manufacturing and testing methods
• Landing system concepts
• Ultra-precise velocity and ranging methods — lidar
• Flight test instrumentation and low-cost data acquisition
• Flight data reconstruction
• Uncertainty quantification