Descent and Landing

Abstract

The most dangerous phase of the mission will be landing on Callisto - an event requiring a highly complex series of stages, each of which must be performed flawlessly with little or no margin for error. The first consideration for those tasked with designing the descent and landing architecture is the fact that Callisto has virtually no atmosphere, which means the descent must be propulsive. Next, since Callisto’s rugged terrain makes landing-site selection very difficult, pinpoint accuracy will be reqnired to ensure the Shackleton’s orbit-to-surface shuttle (which we'll christen the ‘Dauntless’) lands at a safe landing site. To achieve this, much of the descent and landing trajectory will be automated but, before discussing the myriad systems involved, let's take a look at what the Dauntless might look like.