Aerogravity-assist maneuvering of a tethered satellite system

Two new implementations of a tethered satellite system to provide aeroassist during a planetary flyby are investigated. In each mission scenario the interaction of the Martian atmosphere with an aerodynamic lifting surface, which is tethered to an orbiter, is used to perturb the flight path of the system. The aerodynamic forces generated by interacting with the atmosphere augment the gravity assist provided by the planet. In the first aerogravity-assist maneuver the tethered satellite system has congruent post- and preflyby configurations. The second scenario, which is referred to as a dual-destination mission, involves the system mass being separated during the flyby. Both of these aerogravity-assist maneuvers are shown to facilitate significant, propellant-free velocity changes.