A Simple and Accurate Apollo-Trained Neural Network Controller for Mars Atmospheric Entry

Table 1

Summary of previous successful Mars EDL missions [3, 5].

	Viking 1/2	MPF	MER-A/B	Phoenix	MSL
Year	1976	1997	2004/2008	2008	2010
Entry from	Orbit	Direct	Direct	Direct	Direct
Guidance	Unguided	Unguided	Unguided	Unguided	Apollo guidance
Entry velocity (m/s)	4700	7260	5400/5500	5500	5900
Entry flight path angle (deg)	-17	-14.06	-11.49/11.47	-13	-15.5
Ballistic coefficient (kg/m^2)	64	63	94	70	115
Entry mass (kg)	992	584	827/832	600	2920
Lift to drag ratio	0.18	0	0	0	0.24
Aeroshell diameter (m)	3.5	2.65	2.65	2.65	4.6
3-σ landing ellipse major Axis (km)	280	200	80	100	20
3-σ landing ellipse minor Axis (km)	100	100	12	21	10
Total integrated heating (J/m^2)	1100	3865	3687	2428	6185
Peak heating rate (W/cm^2)	26	100	44	58	155