Entry, Descent, and Landing data Options

[kwan3217]

Poking through the files at JPL NAIF, I found a couple of kernels for MSL. One is labeled cruise, and one is labeled EDL. Now since there is no target set yet, these are obviously preliminary, but they are still interesting for just seeing what EDL is like. this is the comment section of the EDL kernel:

MSL Sample EDL Trajectory SPK File (Central Landing Site (0.0 N, 45.0 E)
===========================================================================

Created by Fernando Abilleira, MSL MD/NAV. Comments added by
Boris Semenov, NAIF/JPL on Tue Feb 23 16:34:24 PST 2010.


Objects in the Ephemeris
--------------------------------------------------------

This file contains sample MSL (NAIF ID -76) EDL trajectory, from
atmospheric entry interface point to landing, for Type 1B, open of
launch period (11/25/2011), optimal launch time, central landing
site (0.0 N, 45.0 E), landing time 06-AUG-2012 11:35:46.7 UTC.

THIS FILE SHOULD BE USED FOR TESTING PURPOSES ONLY.


Approximate Time Coverage
--------------------------------------------------------

This file coverage is:

COVERAGE BEGIN TIME (TDB) COVERAGE END TIME (TDB)
------------------------- ------------------------
2012 AUG 06 11:30:58.537 2012 AUG 06 11:36:52.837


Pedigree
--------------------------------------------------------

This file was provided by Fernando Abilleira, MSL MD/NAV on
February 23, 2010. The original name of this file was
'day1_0.edlTraj.bsp'.


Contacts
--------------------------------------------------------

If you have any questions regarding this data contact

Boris V. Semenov, NAIF/JPL,
(818)-354-8136,
Boris.Semenov@jpl.nasa.gov

This particular kernel is just a list of positions and velocities at specific times, typically 0.1s apart. The attached CSV is a dump of the kernel at those times, plus some bonus stuff you can read about in the file.

And here it is:

 msl_edl.txt ( 566.51K ) Number of downloads: 1120

(Why can't I upload a CSV? Rename this to msl_edl.csv when you get it)


A couple of comments:
12 earth g's on entry! Phoenix peaked at 8.
It flies for a long time, starting to gain altitude at about 110s and not opening the chute until 250s

Of course I'll make an animation at some point, but I am actually more interested in this for analysis and backing out the aerodynamics model, so I can put it as a flyable model for Orbiter.