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The article describes the trajectory scenario for the Venera-D mission. The main aspects of optimal launch dates are considered. A scenario, which enables insertion of an orbiter into a highly elliptical orbit and a lander on the surface of Venus is described. Characteristics of the choice for operational orbit and scenario ensuring scientific data transfer from the lander on the surface of Venus to the Earth are justified. In addition, possibilities of transfer of a small satellite to the vicinity of the collinear Lagrangian point of the Sun-Venus system, and also a subsatellite into the orbit of the main orbiter, are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on a future mission to Venus, Venera-D, which is presently at the stage of defining the scientific objectives and shaping the preliminary mission architecture. The main scientific goals regarding the atmosphere, magnetosphere and internal structure of Venus are considered. The current configuration, baseline, and additional elements of the mission are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept presented for the management of distributed dynamic systems is based on installing in all system components of a universal intelligent module interpreting special high-level language, in which any centralized or distributed control can be expressed. The mission scenario in the language, starting from any interpreter, is collectively executed by their network. The interpreters perform appropriate operations in nodes, while passing other parts of the scenario, together with intermediate data, to other interpreters in a coordinated manner. This process covers the system at runtime, and sets up distributed command and control infrastructures providing the overall integrity and goal orientation. This approach allows us to manage robotized systems in unpredictable and hostile environments, with possible failures of components. The language description and programming examples in it are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important milestone in the exploration of Mars and small bodies, a new generation space vehicle “Phobos-Grunt” is planned to be launched by the Russian Aviation and Space Agency. The project is optimized around a Phobos sample return mission and follow up missions targeted to study some main asteroid belt bodies, NEOs and short period comets. The principal constraint is use of the “Soyuz-Fregat” rather than the “Proton” launcher to accomplish these challenging goals. The vehicle design incorporates innovative SEP technology involving electrojet engines that allowed us to increase significantly the mission''s energetic capabilities, as well as highly autonomous on-board systems. Basic criteria underlining the “Phobos-Grunt” mission scenario, scientific objectives and rationale including Mars observations during the vehicle''s insertion into Mars orbit and Phobos approach maneuvers, are discussed and an opportunity for international cooperation is suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]