METHOD OF CONTROL OVER SPACECRAFT DESCENT IN ATMOSPHERE OF PLANETS Russian patent published in 2014 - IPC B64G1/24 B64G1/62 

FIELD: aircraft engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to spacecraft control in atmosphere of planet by adjusting its aerodynamics. Spacecraft velocity in atmosphere at initial flight part increases (spacecraft flies toward conditional orbit pericentre). Atmosphere density is low yet to cause notable spacecraft deceleration. As spacecraft reaches atmosphere dense layers its velocity decreases to reach atmosphere enter velocity for angle of roll (γ) γ=π to be changed to γ=0. This manoeuvre allows changing the spacecraft to flight part with maximum aerodynamic performances. In flight with γ=0 continuous skip path is maintained whereat spacecraft velocity decreases monotonously. Maximum skip height reached, angle of attack o spacecraft increases, hence, spacecraft intensive deceleration occurs.

EFFECT: decreased final velocity at soft landing system operation, fuel savings.

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