Development of the Mars Pathfinder inflatable airbag subsystem

Landing Sequence The entry, descent, and landing system of JPL's Mars Pathfinder spacecraft includes a unique subsystem of airbags for impact attenuation. The airbag geometric configuration and associated landing dynamic analysis was performed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories [1,2]. Detailed design and fabrication of subscale and full scale prototypes and flight airbag systems is being performed by ILC Dover. This paper presents key steps in the development effort that produced the current airbag system, including materials selection, patterning, fabrication issues, component design, and packaging/deployment. These steps outline many elements common to the development of engineered softgoods products for aerospace applications.