2001 Mars Odyssey Aerobraking

The Mars Odyssey spacecraft was inserted into a highly elliptical capture orbit about Mars on October 24, 2001. To establish the required science mapping orbit, the propulsive capabilities of the spacecraft were supplemented by aerobraking. The necessary orbital period reduction was achieved by 332 successive aerobraking drag passes over a 76 day time period. This paper details the strategy, implementation, and results of the aerobraking phase of the mission. Aerobraking sub-phases, constraints, modeling, maneuver logic, trajectory characteristics, and key decisions are described. Differences between Odyssey and the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) aerobraking experiences are included.