Mars Phoenix Entry, Descent, and Landing Simulation Design and Modeling Analysis

In thefive years before the 25May2008 landing of theMarsPhoenixLander, hundreds of thousands of simulations were conducted and analyzed to define a robust sequence of events for the entry, descent, and landing phase of the Phoenix mission. Based on performance predictions, Phoenix was designed with an unguided, ballistic, hypersonic entry; a 11.73mdisk-gap-bandparachute deployment; anda terminal descent systemdelivering it to the surfacewith a soft landing. Each model incorporated into the simulation was scrutinized, verified, and validated. Deterministic and statistical analyses were performed, building confidence that Phoenix would land safely in the northern plains of Mars.