A parameterized dynamics analysis model of legged lander with adaptive landing gear was established. Based on the analysis model, the landing performances under various landing conditions were analyzed by the optimized Latin hypercube experimental design method. In order to improve the landing performances, a hierarchical optimization method was proposed considering the uncertainty of landing conditions. The optimization problem was divided into a higher level (hereafter the “leader”) and several lower levels (hereafter the “follower”). The followers took conditioning factors as design variables to find out the worst landing conditions, while the leader took buffer parameters as design variables to better the landing performance under worst conditions. First of all, sensitivity analysis of landing conditioning factors was carried out according to the results of experimental design. After the sensitive factors were screened out, the response surface models were established to reflect the complicated relationships between sensitive conditioning factors, buffer parameters and landing performance indexes. Finally, the response surface model was used for hierarchical optimization iteration to improve the computational efficiency. After selecting the optimum buffer parameters from the solution set, the dynamic model with the optimum parameters was simulated again under the same landing conditions as the simulation before. After optimization, nozzle performance against damage is improved by 5.24%, the acceleration overload is reduced by 5.74%, and the primary strut improves its performance by 21.10%.

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Hierarchical Optimization of Landing Performance for Lander with Adaptive Landing Gear

Soft landing stability analysis of a Mars lander under uncertain terrain

The performance of the Viking lander has been evaluated by using a Monte Carlo simulation, and all results are presented in statistical form. The primary objectives of this analysis were as follows: (1) to determine the three sigma design values of maximum rigid body accelerations and the minimum clearance of the lander body during landing; (2) to determine the probability of an unstable landing; and (3) to determine the probability of the lander body striking a rock. Two configurations were analyzed with the only difference being in the ability of the primary landing gear struts to carry tension loads.

C. A. King

Papers

A Monte Carlo analysis of the Viking lander dynamics at touchdown