Unveiling the 'Free Lunch' of Aerocapture in Space Exploration

A new paper explores the concept of aerocapture, a technique used in space exploration where a spacecraft uses the atmosphere of a planet to slow down and achieve orbit insertion. The paper discusses the different methods of aerodynamic control, such as lift modulation and drag modulation, and highlights the importance of accounting for atmospheric uncertainties in mission design. The atmospheric density of planets like Mars and Venus can vary significantly, posing risks to aerocapture maneuvers. The paper also examines the aerocapture capabilities of various planets in the solar system, including Venus, Mars, Titan, Uranus, and Neptune.