Experimental Design of Dynamic and Thermal Soaring for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle on Titan

Abstract

This study explores the implementation of dynamic and thermal soaring in drones for Titan exploration. Challenges posed by Titan's environment necessitate advanced materials and energy sources. Dynamic soaring, inspired by albatross flight is examined as a means to capture energy from wind gradients in Titan's atmosphere. The analysis reveals that dynamic soaring on Titan can be more efficient than on Earth due to the planet's lower gravity and increased atmospheric density. The optimization of aircraft design parameters, including airfoil selection, lift coefficient, and drag coefficient, can further enhance energy savings during dynamic soaring. The study also investigates the potential for thermal soaring on Titan. The analysis determines optimal banking and glide angles for efficient utilization of thermals, considering the load factors experienced by the aircraft. The findings highlight the importance of small turn radii for successful thermal soaring. Although validation and refinement are needed, the study highlights the potential of renewable energy and advanced flight techniques for space missions to Titan.