Lunar and planetary landers for human exploration missions

What is it about?

This paper describes characteristics of lunar and planetary landers and mission profiles. Requirements are discussed, and propulsion and aerodynamic features are described. The paper covers recent history of concepts, configuration design drivers, propulsion, aerodynamics and aero-heating as applicable, structural and launch packaging factors, a summary of mission profiles, a description of the evolution of concepts, and reasons why the evolution has gone as it has.

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