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Aerospace
Special Issues
Lunar, Planetary, and Small-Body Exploration
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Lunar, Planetary, and Small-Body Exploration

A special issue of Aerospace (ISSN 2226-4310). This special issue belongs to the section "Astronautics & Space Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 1301

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jekanthan Thangavelautham

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Guest Editor
Space and Terrestrial Robotic Exploration (SpaceTREx) Laboratory, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Interests: space robotics; spacecraft swarms; extreme environment exploration; neural networks; evolutionary computation; fuel cell power supplies; planetary rovers; spacecraft trajectory design; on-orbit servicing; docking; in-situ resource utilization (ISRU)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last 70 years, we have seen increasingly sophisticated robotic spacecraft, landers, rovers, and other vehicles explore the solar system's eight planets and Pluto. These crafts have been instrumental in uncovering the origins and evolution of our solar system. Further investigations are needed to solve some remaining mysteries, particularly the past and present habitability of bodies in the solar system. Advances in electronics, computation, communications, sensing, and power have led to long-lasting missions that send a rich portfolio of scientific data through pictures, videos, and sounds. Some of the latest rovers carry complex mobile laboratories to perform geo-chemical analysis in the field. In addition, they carry smaller craft like helicopters or mobile sensor units that can take on more risk than the mothercraft. The latest wave of advances has seen small spacecraft take a foothold in the space exploration world. These crafts are a fraction of the size and cost of older spacecrafts but carry increasingly sophisticated instruments and data processing capabilities. These new form factors also facilitate the agile deployment of spacecrafts that can operate in a decentralized manner; several of these spacecrafts can perform formation flight to perform coordinated observation and mapping of one or more science targets. In other cases, decentralized swarms of spacecraft have been proposed for flyby-reconnaissance missions. These crafts use new and advanced instruments to peer at the surface and beneath the surface of planets, moons, and asteroids, obtain samples, and even perform impact studies. In another thrust, we see the advancement of missions that utilize a planetary atmosphere to float, fly, and soar to new targets that are otherwise inaccessible using conventional landers and rovers.

Dr. Jekanthan Thangavelautham
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • agile spacecraft
  • planetary exploration
  • mothercraft
  • formation flight
  • swarms
  • planetary atmosphere

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 10168 KiB  
Article
Theoretical and Numerical Study on a Scale Model Test of Planetary Cratering Impact
by He Lv, Qiguang He and Xiaowei Chen
Aerospace 2025, 12(4), 333; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace12040333 - 12 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Our investigation delves into the scaling law governing planetary cratering impacts. We meticulously analyze the interplay between dimensionless parameters driving crater growth and the morphological transition of craters and construct the scaling analysis between the scale model tests and the prototype tests by [...] Read more.
Our investigation delves into the scaling law governing planetary cratering impacts. We meticulously analyze the interplay between dimensionless parameters driving crater growth and the morphological transition of craters and construct the scaling analysis between the scale model tests and the prototype tests by numerical simulation. With practical engineering applications in mind, we design scale model tests based on the experimental setups of geotechnical centrifuges, ensuring the robust validity of test designs. This meticulous approach is integral to achieving fidelity between simulations and experimental scenarios. Validation of our scale model tests is conducted through a numerical modeling framework, coupling the finite element-smoothed particle hydrodynamics adaptive method (FE-SPH). This validation procedure serves to bolster the reliability and credibility of our methodology, facilitating an accurate depiction of the cratering mechanism. Of particular interest is the investigation into the depth-to-diameter ratio of impact craters, wherein we explore its intricate relationship with projectile diameter and gravity. Through rigorous analysis, we delineate the transition diameter at which terrestrial impact craters manifest a transition from simple to complex morphologies, thereby shedding light on the underlying dynamics of crater formation. Moreover, our study meticulously scrutinizes the relationship of crater formation time between the scaling model tests and the prototype tests. Our research underscores the consistency of the crater depth–diameter ratio in the scale model tests and the prototype tests and affirms applicability in replicating prototype tests by scale model tests. Notably, our findings reveal compelling correlations between the depth-to-diameter ratio of impact craters and gravity, as well as projectile diameter, providing valuable insights into the governing dynamics of impact crater formation. These insights not only advance our fundamental understanding of planetary cratering processes but also hold implications for practical applications in planetary science and engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lunar, Planetary, and Small-Body Exploration)
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22 pages, 5414 KiB  
Article
ARC-LIGHT: Algorithm for Robust Characterization of Lunar Surface Imaging for Ground Hazards and Trajectory
by Alexander Cushen, Ariana Bueno, Samuel Carrico, Corrydon Wettstein, Jaykumar Ishvarbhai Adalja, Mengxiang Shi, Naila Garcia, Yuliana Garcia, Mirko Gamba and Christopher Ruf
Aerospace 2025, 12(3), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace12030177 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 777
Abstract
Safe and reliable lunar landings are crucial for future exploration of the Moon. The regolith ejected by a lander’s rocket exhaust plume represents a significant obstacle in achieving this goal. It prevents spacecraft from reliably utilizing their navigation sensors to monitor their trajectory [...] Read more.
Safe and reliable lunar landings are crucial for future exploration of the Moon. The regolith ejected by a lander’s rocket exhaust plume represents a significant obstacle in achieving this goal. It prevents spacecraft from reliably utilizing their navigation sensors to monitor their trajectory and spot emerging surface hazards as they near the surface. As part of NASA’s 2024 Human Lander Challenge (HuLC), the team at the University of Michigan developed an innovative concept to help mitigate this issue. We developed and implemented a machine learning (ML)-based sensor fusion system, ARC-LIGHT, that integrates sensor data from the cameras, lidars, or radars that landers already carry but disable during the final landing phase. Using these data streams, ARC-LIGHT will remove erroneous signals and recover a useful detection of the surface features to then be used by the spacecraft to correct its descent profile. It also offers a layer of redundancy for other key sensors, like inertial measurement units. The feasibility of this technology was validated through development of a prototype algorithm, which was trained on data from a purpose-built testbed that simulates imaging through a dusty environment. Based on these findings, a development timeline, risk analysis, and budget for ARC-LIGHT to be deployed on a lunar landing was created. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lunar, Planetary, and Small-Body Exploration)
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