Research for a modeling method of mars flexible airbag based on discrete element theory

In the Mars exploration mission, the lander's buffer landing task is a key step. Because of the characteristics of discrete element theory, it is not only widely used in geotechnical analysis, pharmaceutical and other fields, but also in the field of aerospace, especially in the simulation of the surface of the planet such as Stardust and other discrete surface. In this paper, a particle — spring model based on discrete element theory is proposed, which is used to model the Martian airbag by using the EDEM of discrete element simulation software. Then, the simulation and analysis of the special environment such as hard ground and desert surface of Mars are carried out to verify the necessity of the model in the simulation of the landing characteristics of the airbag.