Studying the Effects of Buoyancy on a Semi-Rigid Vacuum Airship in the Martian Atmosphere
Abstract
This study provides a comprehensive assessment of buoyancy effects on a dual-mode vacuum airship intended for Martian atmospheric exploration. The proposed novel vehicle combines lighter-than-atmosphere technology with advanced capabilities for high-resolution aerial reconnaissance, atmospheric composition analysis, and weather pattern monitoring. The airship's structure employs carbon fibre reinforced polymers with an interior graphene layer, resulting in a robust yet lightweight frame capable of maintaining a partial vacuum and generating buoyancy in Mars' CO₂-rich atmosphere. One of the airship's key features is its deflatable and re-inflatable design, allowing it to descend and find cover during sandstorms, preserving functionality afterward. Energy management is achieved through solar nanocells integrated into the airship's surface, supplemented by radioisotope thermoelectric generators to ensure continuous power during low sunlight or adverse weather conditions. This study not only enhances our understanding of vacuum airship operations in thin atmospheres but also proposes a versatile platform for extended Martian exploration. By providing long-term reconnaissance, aiding ground missions, and acting as a communication relay, this airship design offers a significant advancement in Martian exploration capabilities, with potential applications on other planetary bodies as well. The study focuses on structural and aerodynamic analysis over the inflatable body by simulating an artificial martian atmosphere model. These studies allow analyzing the atmospheric effect of properties with the change in altitude i.e Pressure, Temperature, Density and Velocity.