Abstract
During the rocket-powered landing of a vehicle on a planetary body, the interaction between the rocket plume and the surface material beneath the vehicle plays a significant role in the descent dynamics and the safety of powered descent. However, in situ data taken to investigate plume-surface interaction has been limited. The upcoming flight and lunar landing of the Intuitive Machines Nova-C will be equipped with the Stereo Cameras for Lunar PlumeSurface Studies (SCALPSS) science package, enabling the direct measurement of plumeinduced surface cratering during powered descent. In this work, we present the engineering constraints, design iteration process, and simulation results that drove the design selection for the SCALPSS camera system. The chosen design will provide 3D-imaging coverage of 84 percent of the lunar surface directly under the landed Nova-C, in addition to some coverage of the neighboring surface. SCALPSS will provide a total 3D-imaging coverage area of approximately 13 square meters. With the anticipated Nova-C landing in October of 2021, SCALPSS will provide the first dedicated in situ measurement of plume-induced surface cratering.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum |
Publisher | American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA |
Pages | 1-15 |
Number of pages | 15 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781624106095 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Event | AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2021 - Virtual, Online Duration: Jan 11 2021 → Jan 15 2021 |
Publication series
Name | AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum |
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Conference
Conference | AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum 2021 |
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City | Virtual, Online |
Period | 01/11/21 → 01/15/21 |
Funding
The authors would like to acknowledge Intuitive Machines for providing 3D models of the Nova-C lander and contributing to valuable discussions regarding the design and operation of the SCALPSS camera system. The SCALPSS Project was funded by the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) through the NASA Provided Lunar Payload (NPLP) Development Program.