SAWE Missiles and Space

3826. Assessment of the Feasibility of a Solar-Powered Airship for Mars

Greg Ray — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:45:18 +0000

Paper

Yan Pozhanka, Mostafa Hassanalian: 3826. Assessment of the Feasibility of a Solar-Powered Airship for Mars. 2025.

Abstract

In recent decades, humanity has been actively exploring outer space around Earth, and in recent years, nearby celestial bodies. Existing types of automated research platforms do not allow for the coverage of large areas while enabling direct measurements within bodies that possess an atmosphere. Therefore, this article presents a lower-bound estimate of the mass of an electric airship capable of flying in the Martian atmosphere and carrying a small payload. The assessment is based on a maximally lightweight airship design, considering anticipated advancements in materials and equipment. An algorithm in MATLAB has been developed for estimation of airship parameters. The algorithm iteratively estimates the mass of the components and compares it with the lifting force until equilibrium is reached. The results show that a Martian airship can be realized with feasible mass and dimensions. However, these parameters may pose significant challenges for transportation and deployment. Thus, the implementation of such a project requires the development of new technologies and the creation of specialized materials.

SAWE STD A-6, 2023: Standard Coordinate Systems for Reporting the Mass Properties of Flight Vehicles

Andy Brooks — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 04:32:18 +0000

The intent of this Standard is to reduce errors and costs associated with improperly defined coordinate axis systems. Although mass properties engineers will often be required to use coordinate systems in use by other parties, the SAWE strongly encourages that the appropriate one of these standards be used whenever possible. This is a SAWE Standard (STD) document type, with focus on providing concise requirements in data and process definition regarding coordinate system use for flight vehicles. Explanatory Recommended Practices for use of this material is provided in the associated SAWE RP A-6 document.

SAWE RP-11, 2000: Mass Properties Control for Space Vehicles

Andy Brooks — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 03:11:30 +0000

Superseded by SAWE RP A-3, 2016: Mass Properties Control for Space Systems

This recommended practice is provided by the SAWE to provide guidelines for monitoring, controlling, and reporting mass properties of spacecraft, launch vehicles, and exo-atmospheric missiles. This recommended practice is based on Reference 1, and incorporates the updates that were proposed for Revision A of that document. Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, and deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this document should be submitted to the above address. This recommended practice establishes uniform procedures for the control, determination, and documentation of mass properties of space vehicles and their subsystems and components. This document is derived from Reference 1 to serve as a continuing, maintained, industry recommended practice. As such, it contains some sections that are applicable primarily to United States Government space vehicle development and acquisition programs. Other sections are more general in nature, describing terminology, processes, and procedures that are generally accepted in the industry, and reflect sound mass properties engineering practices in the development and production of space vehicles. This recommended practice is, therefore, applicable for mass properties control of all space vehicle development and acquisition, government and private.

SAWE RP-11, 2004: Mass Properties Control for Space Vehicles

Andy Brooks — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 03:11:30 +0000

Superseded by SAWE RP A-3, 2016: Mass Properties Control for Space Systems

This recommended practice is provided by the SAWE as a guideline for managing, monitoring, controlling, verifying, and reporting mass properties of space vehicles, upper stage vehicles, injection stages, satellite payloads, launch vehicles, re-entry vehicles, and exo-atmospheric missiles. This recommended practice is based on previous Revision B of this document, supplemented by AIAA-S-120-2006, which was developed using consensus agreement of industry subject matter experts. Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions), and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this document should be submitted to the above address. This recommended practice establishes uniform procedures for the control, monitoring, determination, verification, and documentation of mass properties of space vehicles and their subsystems and components. This document is an amalgam of several standards and handbooks, attempting to capture best practices in both government and commercial arenas. As such, it contains some sections that are applicable primarily to United States Government space vehicle development and acquisition programs. Other sections are more general in nature, describing terminology, processes, and procedures that are generally accepted in the industry, and reflect sound mass properties engineering practices in the development and production of space vehicles.

SAWE RP-10, 1997: Weight and Balance Data Reporting Forms for Guided Missiles and Space Launch Vehicles

Andy Brooks — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 03:11:28 +0000

This document establishes weight statements and forms for procurement of weight and balance data for guided missiles, PARTS I, II and III hereof, states the principles followed in the formulation of these statements and forms, furnishes instructions where necessary for uniform compilation of the required weight and descriptive data, and provides a glossary of terms for which definitions may not be self evident on the weight statements and forms. The forms may be used for large and small missiles as well as booster vehicles employed for launching satellite or reentry payloads.

SAWE RP-2, 1995: Guidelines for Mass Properties Control on International Space & Missile Systems

Andy Brooks — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 03:11:15 +0000

It is the objective of this document to provide interested parties involved in the initiation of a new missile or space system on the international level, a reference book of "guidelines" for the establishment of an effective mass properties control program. This document has been compiled by a panel of mass properties engineers representing both government agencies and industry in the United States and in Europe. Drawing Collectively on the wealth of experience represented in the international Society of Allied Weight Engineers (S.A.W.E.), and specifically on the experience of the Space Shuttle/Space lab program, a list of elements to be considered is furnished along with related comments.

SAWE RP-9, 2000: Weight and Balance Control for Guided Missiles

Andy Brooks — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 03:11:15 +0000

This recommended practice requires the establishment of a weight and balance control system to provide for the management of mass characteristics programs and to facilitate the preparation and submission of data as specified herein. The term "Weight and Balance" as used herein is intended to include terms relating to mass and mass properties. This document is derived from MIL-STD-3947B to serve as a continuing, maintained, industry recommended practice. As such, it contains practices which are applicable primarily to United States Government guided missile development and acquisition programs. Classification The vehicles for which the requirements apply (but are not limited to) are of the following categories: Guided Missiles and Vehicles Surface to Air, Air to Surface, Surface to Surface (Ballistic Type), and Air to Air Guided Missiles and combinations thereof (such as Underwater to Air types). Expendable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are also included. Other Configurations not covered in the above categories but for which the system requirements may be adaptable to include : smart bombs, projectiles, etc. This recommended practice covers mainly Endo-atmospheric missiles and vehicles but Exo-atmospheric is not excluded.

SAWE RP-6, 1999: Standard Coordinate Systems for Reporting the Mass Properties of Flight Vehicles

Andy Brooks — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 03:11:13 +0000

Superseded by SAWE STD A-6, 2023: Standard Coordinate Systems for Reporting the Mass Properties of Flight Vehicles

Anyone who has worked in the mass properties field for any length of time knows the problem: one person's X is another person's Y. Since the numerical values of the mass properties of an object are entirely dependent on the coordinate system chosen, it is essential that engineers include a precise definition of their coordinate system along with the mass properties data. To minimize confusion and to make the job of defining your coordinate system easier, the SAWE has adopted two standard coordinate systems: Standard "A" is used for aircraft or any other vehicle which "flies" Standard "S" is used for objects which orbit the earth The intent of this Standard is to reduce errors and costs associated with improperly defined coordinate axis systems. Although mass properties engineers will often be forced to use coordinate systems dictated by other parties, the SAWE strongly encourages you to use one of these standards whenever you have the freedom to choose your own coordinate system. The success of a standard of this type depends on its widespread use. You are encouraged to make copies of this standard and to attempt to influence flight dynamics engineers and others at an early stage of the design of a flight vehicle. It is very difficult to change coordinate definitions once a project in underway.

SAWE RP A-3, 2016: Mass Properties Control for Space Systems

Andy Brooks — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 21:44:00 +0000

Foreword The International Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc. (SAWE), a major source of Mass Properties Engineering (MPE) Subject Matter Experts, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) to jointly develop both a revised mass properties standard and a revised recommended practice (RP). SAWE wishes to acknowledge the efforts of the AIAA Mass Properties Engineering Committee on Standards (CoS) in developing these revisions. The new revisions, designated as AIAA/ANSI S-120A-2015 and SAWE RP A-3, are intended to fully replace AIAA S-120-2006 and SAWE RP-11C. The revised standard, AIAA/ANSI S-120A-2015, is intended to convey the minimally acceptable mass properties requirements for space systems, while the associated SAWE RP A-3 provides guidance for implementation of a program-specific mass properties control plan. Together, the two documents may also be used to establish requirements during preparation of acquisition contracts and program-specific documents. These documents are useful for all companies wishing to control and manage vehicle mass properties and are especially useful for new companies, companies unfamiliar with mass properties requirements or companies without dedicated Mass Properties Engineers (MPEs). Scope This recommended practice (RP) defines terminology and establishes uniform processes, procedures, and methods for the management, control, monitoring, determination, verification, and documentation of mass properties during the design, development, and operational phases of space systems, including their components and subsystems. This RP contains mass properties control guidance for both space vehicles (SVs) and launch vehicles (LVs). A distinction between SVs and LVs is made because, in certain areas, mass properties analyses, control, and verification techniques can vary significantly between these two space system classes. Where significant differences in recommended practices exist between these two space system classes, the applicable space system class is specified. Purpose This document is intended as a complement to AIAA-S-120A-2015, Mass Properties Control for Space Systems. Whereas AIAA-S-120A-2015 defines the minimum mass properties mission requirements (the “what”), this document explains “how to” best meet those requirements using recognized industry best practices. This document may be used as a reference to specify mass properties control for SVs (satellites, satellite payloads, interplanetary vehicles, or reentry vehicles) and LVs (launch vehicles, upper stage vehicles, injection stages, or exoatmospheric missiles). For these applications, the term space system is to be interpreted as the applicable vehicle. Note: AIAA/ANSI S-120A-2015 contains tailorable requirements, while this document contains best practices; therefore, the use of “should” in this document is appropriate unless in direct conflict with AIAA/ANSI S-120A-2015. Inclusion of an SAWE RP in a document, standard, on contract by a company or agency is a voluntary act.

SAWE RP-16, 2006: Measurement of Missile and Spacecraft Mass Properties

Andy Brooks — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 21:44:00 +0000

This recommended practice outlines the requirements for a successful mass properties measurement program for missiles and space vehicles. This RP is intended to be used in conjunction with a pending Functional Recommended Practice(s) in the areas of Measurement, Verification and Validation. The Functional Recommended Practices will address issues that relate to measurement in general, whereas this Recommended Practice discusses issues that relate specifically to measurement of missile and space vehicles.