Orion spacecraft nominal and contingency earth landing retro rocket system options

Retro rocket Earth landing system architectures for the Orion crew module were developed for the Constellation Program during the Landing System Advanced Development Project design trades. The architectures include both variable and fixed impulse base-mounted solid-propellant retro rocket motors for vertical and horizontal landing velocity control. Monte Carlo performance analyses were conducted, detailed motors were designed and support system configurations were developed for mass and performance characterization. Preliminary penetration schemes for blow-out ports through the TPS were designed for the motor exhaust plumes. The requirements, configurations, elements, mass and performance of the retro rocket landing system architectures for multiple landing scenarios are discussed.