Andrews Space has announced that it has signed a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to analyze design solutions related to NASA's Vision for Space Exploration. The specific efforts are focused on the Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing technologies and techniques.
Under NASA Langley Research Center's Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) research area, Andrews will perform trade studies related to High Mass Mars Entry Systems (HMMES), from identifying Mars surface elements that need to be packaged, to the physical constraints imposed by the launch system, and to the entry dispersions that the guidance, navigation, and control systems must overcome to provide a safe delivery to the chosen landing site.
The primary thrust of the study is to identify the technical risks with respect to future EDL systems and recommend near term technology development activities to reduce those risks to acceptable levels.
"This project presents complex technical challenges," said Jason Andrews, President of Andrews Space. "We are privileged to have been selected by NASA to assist their team in achieving their long-term goals."
These efforts will be carried out by the Andrews facilities in Huntsville, AL and Houston, TX, while the contract is overseen by our corporate administration located in Seattle, WA.
