Choosing the form of space vehicle designed for descent in the rarefied atmosphere of Mars

The paper deals with choosing the form and centre of inertia position of a space vehicle with a view to eliminating resonance which occurs during unguided descent in the rarefied atmosphere of Mars. Blunted small-elongation space vehicles consisting of a conical part and a spherical one are discussed. The criterion of absence of resonance is obtained analytically with the help of Newton’s shock theory. Practical recommendations on choosing the form of a space vehicle are given to eliminate the possibility of resonance arising.