The Supercam Instrument Suite on the NASA Mars 2020 Rover: Body Unit and Combined System Tests
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The Journey to Mars: How Donna Shirley Broke Barriers for Women in Space Engineering
The Journey to Mars: How Donna Shirley Broke Barriers for Women in Space Engineering Laurel Mossman, Kate Schein, and Amelia Peoples Senior Division Group Documentary Word Count: 499 Our group chose the topic, Donna Shirley and her Mars rover, because of our connections and our interest level in not only science but strong, determined women. One of our group member’s mothers worked for a man under Ms. Shirley when she was developing the Mars rover. This provided us with a connection to Ms. Shirley, which then gave us the amazing opportunity to interview her. In addition, our group is interested in the philosophy of equality and we have continuously created documentaries that revolve around this idea. Every member of our group is a female, so we understand the struggles and discrimination that women face in an everyday setting and wanted to share the story of a female that faced these struggles but overcame them. Thus after conducting a great amount of research, we fell in love with Donna Shirley’s story. Lastly, it was an added benefit that Ms. Shirley is from Oklahoma, making her story important to our state. All of these components made this topic extremely appealing to us. We conducted our research using online articles, Donna Shirley’s autobiography, “Managing Martians”, news coverage from the launch day, and our interview with Donna Shirley. We started our research process by reading Shirley’s autobiography. This gave us insight into her college life, her time working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and what it was like being in charge of such a barrier-breaking mission. -
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Gets Balanced 21 April 2020
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover gets balanced 21 April 2020 minimize friction that could affect the accuracy of the results, the table's surface sits on a spherical air bearing that essentially levitates on a thin layer of nitrogen gas. To determine center of gravity relative to the rover's z-axis (which extends from the bottom of the rover through the top) and y-axis (from the rover's left to right side), the team slowly rotated the vehicle back and forth, calculating the imbalance in its mass distribution. NASA's Perseverance rover is moved during a test of its mass properties at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The image was taken on April 7, 2020. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech With 13 weeks to go before the launch period of NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover opens, final preparations of the spacecraft continue at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On April 8, the This image of the Perseverance Mars rover was taken at assembly, test and launch operations team NASA's Kennedy Space Center on April 7, 2020, during a completed a crucial mass properties test of the test of the vehicle's mass properties. Credit: NASA/JPL- rover. Caltech Precision mass properties measurements are essential to a safe landing on Mars because they help ensure that the spacecraft travels accurately Just as an auto mechanic places small weights on throughout its trip to the Red Planet—from launch a car tire's rim to bring it into balance, the through its entry, descent and landing. Perseverance team analyzed the data and then added 13.8 pounds (6.27 kilograms) to the rover's On April 6, the meticulous three-day process chassis. -
+ New Horizons
Media Contacts NASA Headquarters Policy/Program Management Dwayne Brown New Horizons Nuclear Safety (202) 358-1726 [email protected] The Johns Hopkins University Mission Management Applied Physics Laboratory Spacecraft Operations Michael Buckley (240) 228-7536 or (443) 778-7536 [email protected] Southwest Research Institute Principal Investigator Institution Maria Martinez (210) 522-3305 [email protected] NASA Kennedy Space Center Launch Operations George Diller (321) 867-2468 [email protected] Lockheed Martin Space Systems Launch Vehicle Julie Andrews (321) 853-1567 [email protected] International Launch Services Launch Vehicle Fran Slimmer (571) 633-7462 [email protected] NEW HORIZONS Table of Contents Media Services Information ................................................................................................ 2 Quick Facts .............................................................................................................................. 3 Pluto at a Glance ...................................................................................................................... 5 Why Pluto and the Kuiper Belt? The Science of New Horizons ............................... 7 NASA’s New Frontiers Program ........................................................................................14 The Spacecraft ........................................................................................................................15 Science Payload ...............................................................................................................16 -
1 Cross-Calibration of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
ISSI/ISSI-BJ Joint Call for Proposals 2018 International Teams in Space and Earth Sciences Cross-calibration of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instruments for planetary exploration. 1 Summary of the project : A revolutionary technique for planetary science: Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an active analytical technique that makes use of a pulsed laser to ablate material of interest at a distance. The atoms in the high temperature plasma emit at specific wavelengths from the UV to near- IR and the light can be analyzed by spectrometry to determine the composition of the target [1]. Since 2012, LIBS has been successfully used under low atmospheric pressure for exploring the geology of Mars at Gale Crater with the Mars Science Laboratory rover’s ChemCam instrument [2-4]. LIBS can be used to analyze single regolith mineral particles and larger rocks, giving major and minor elements compositions. Moreover, LIBS is sensitive to volatile elements (H, Na, etc.) that are of intrinsic interest to understand key planetary processes. The generated shock wave can also ablate dust covering rocks to allow further analysis by other instruments on the mission platform (rover, lander). In order to quantify the elemental composition of various targets, large laboratory samples analyses are required for calibration, with ChemCam’s calibration database containing more than 400 standards [5-6]. LIBS is becoming international: Due to its ease of deployment and rapidity of analysis, LIBS has shown a great potential as a chemistry survey instrument for the next generation of in situ space missions to planets, satellites and small bodies. In the next couple of years, three more LIBS space instruments will be sent for planetary exploration by teams representing several different nationalities In 2018, the Indian space mission to the Moon Chandrayaan 2 will comprise a rover equipped with a small portable LIBS instrument for regolith reconnaissance around the landing site [7]. -
Mars Science Laboratory: Curiosity Rover Curiosity’S Mission: Was Mars Ever Habitable? Acquires Rock, Soil, and Air Samples for Onboard Analysis
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Mars Science Laboratory: Curiosity Rover www.nasa.gov Curiosity’s Mission: Was Mars Ever Habitable? acquires rock, soil, and air samples for onboard analysis. Quick Facts Curiosity is about the size of a small car and about as Part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission, Launch — Nov. 26, 2011 from Cape Canaveral, tall as a basketball player. Its large size allows the rover Curiosity is the largest and most capable rover ever Florida, on an Atlas V-541 to carry an advanced kit of 10 science instruments. sent to Mars. Curiosity’s mission is to answer the Arrival — Aug. 6, 2012 (UTC) Among Curiosity’s tools are 17 cameras, a laser to question: did Mars ever have the right environmental Prime Mission — One Mars year, or about 687 Earth zap rocks, and a drill to collect rock samples. These all conditions to support small life forms called microbes? days (~98 weeks) help in the hunt for special rocks that formed in water Taking the next steps to understand Mars as a possible and/or have signs of organics. The rover also has Main Objectives place for life, Curiosity builds on an earlier “follow the three communications antennas. • Search for organics and determine if this area of Mars was water” strategy that guided Mars missions in NASA’s ever habitable for microbial life Mars Exploration Program. Besides looking for signs of • Characterize the chemical and mineral composition of Ultra-High-Frequency wet climate conditions and for rocks and minerals that ChemCam Antenna rocks and soil formed in water, Curiosity also seeks signs of carbon- Mastcam MMRTG • Study the role of water and changes in the Martian climate over time based molecules called organics. -
The Pancam Instrument for the Exomars Rover
ASTROBIOLOGY ExoMars Rover Mission Volume 17, Numbers 6 and 7, 2017 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1548 The PanCam Instrument for the ExoMars Rover A.J. Coates,1,2 R. Jaumann,3 A.D. Griffiths,1,2 C.E. Leff,1,2 N. Schmitz,3 J.-L. Josset,4 G. Paar,5 M. Gunn,6 E. Hauber,3 C.R. Cousins,7 R.E. Cross,6 P. Grindrod,2,8 J.C. Bridges,9 M. Balme,10 S. Gupta,11 I.A. Crawford,2,8 P. Irwin,12 R. Stabbins,1,2 D. Tirsch,3 J.L. Vago,13 T. Theodorou,1,2 M. Caballo-Perucha,5 G.R. Osinski,14 and the PanCam Team Abstract The scientific objectives of the ExoMars rover are designed to answer several key questions in the search for life on Mars. In particular, the unique subsurface drill will address some of these, such as the possible existence and stability of subsurface organics. PanCam will establish the surface geological and morphological context for the mission, working in collaboration with other context instruments. Here, we describe the PanCam scientific objectives in geology, atmospheric science, and 3-D vision. We discuss the design of PanCam, which includes a stereo pair of Wide Angle Cameras (WACs), each of which has an 11-position filter wheel and a High Resolution Camera (HRC) for high-resolution investigations of rock texture at a distance. The cameras and electronics are housed in an optical bench that provides the mechanical interface to the rover mast and a planetary protection barrier. -
18Th EANA Conference European Astrobiology Network Association
18th EANA Conference European Astrobiology Network Association Abstract book 24-28 September 2018 Freie Universität Berlin, Germany Sponsors: Detectability of biosignatures in martian sedimentary systems A. H. Stevens1, A. McDonald2, and C. S. Cockell1 (1) UK Centre for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, UK ([email protected]) (2) Bioimaging Facility, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, UK Presentation: Tuesday 12:45-13:00 Session: Traces of life, biosignatures, life detection Abstract: Some of the most promising potential sampling sites for astrobiology are the numerous sedimentary areas on Mars such as those explored by MSL. As sedimentary systems have a high relative likelihood to have been habitable in the past and are known on Earth to preserve biosignatures well, the remains of martian sedimentary systems are an attractive target for exploration, for example by sample return caching rovers [1]. To learn how best to look for evidence of life in these environments, we must carefully understand their context. While recent measurements have raised the upper limit for organic carbon measured in martian sediments [2], our exploration to date shows no evidence for a terrestrial-like biosphere on Mars. We used an analogue of a martian mudstone (Y-Mars[3]) to investigate how best to look for biosignatures in martian sedimentary environments. The mudstone was inoculated with a relevant microbial community and cultured over several months under martian conditions to select for the most Mars-relevant microbes. We sequenced the microbial community over a number of transfers to try and understand what types microbes might be expected to exist in these environments and assess whether they might leave behind any specific biosignatures. -
Team Develops Optocoupler for Spaceflight Applications 6 February 2019
Team develops optocoupler for spaceflight applications 6 February 2019 "Operating in conditions from -40° to 100° Celsius, our power converter is ruggedized to withstand the rigors of launch and adverse radiation conditions in space," said Carlos Urdiales, a senior program manager in SwRI's Space Science and Engineering Division. "In addition to being able to withstand the radiation environment around Jupiter, our optocoupler is fast, stepping from 0 to 10 kilovolts in 23.4 microseconds. The half-inch package weighs less than 4 grams and has a radiation tolerance in excess of 100 kilorads." The high-quality device offers high reliability and long life in a relatively small footprint, which is critical for space applications. The optocoupler is being integrated into the MAss SPectrometer for Planetary EXploration (MASPEX), the Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS) and the SwRI is integrating its optocoupler power conversion SUrface Dust Analyser (SUDA) instruments for the technology into three instruments bound for Jupiter’s Europa Clipper mission. SwRI's optocoupler will moon Europa. The radiation-hardened, high-reliability help power astrobiology examinations to device, developed with internal funding, overcomes understand the moon's subsurface sea and problems similar systems have had operating in space. potential habitability as well as characterization of Credit: Southwest Research Institute its atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere. "SwRI can configure the device to suit a range of applications," Urdiales said. "We deliver increased Southwest Research Institute has developed a reliability through redundancy in the high-current 2 high-reliability, high-voltage optocoupler for Amp LED array, which provides a lightning fast spaceflight applications. -
A Lunar Micro Rover System Overview for Aiding Science and ISRU Missions Virtual Conference 19–23 October 2020 R
i-SAIRAS2020-Papers (2020) 5051.pdf A lunar Micro Rover System Overview for Aiding Science and ISRU Missions Virtual Conference 19–23 October 2020 R. Smith1, S. George1, D. Jonckers1 1STFC RAL Space, R100 Harwell Campus, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom, E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT the form of rovers and landers of various size [4]. Due to the costly nature of these missions, and the pressure Current science missions to the surface of other plan- for a guaranteed science return, they have been de- etary bodies tend to be very large with upwards of ten signed to minimise risk by using redundant and high instruments on board. This is due to high reliability re- reliability systems. This further increases mission cost quirements, and the desire to get the maximum science as components and subsystems are expected to be ex- return per mission. Missions to the lunar surface in the tensively qualified. next few years are key in the journey to returning hu- mans to the lunar surface [1]. The introduction of the As an example, the Mars Science Laboratory, nick- Commercial lunar Payload Services (CLPS) delivery named the Curiosity rover, one of the most successful architecture for science instruments and technology interplanetary rovers to date, has 10 main scientific in- demonstrators has lowered the barrier to entry of get- struments, requires a large team of people to control ting science to the surface [2]. Many instruments, and and cost over $2.5 billion to build and fly [5]. Curios- In Situ Surface Utilisation (ISRU) experiments have ity had 4 main science goals, with the instruments and been funded, and are being built with the intention of the design of the rover specifically tailored to those flying on already awarded CLPS missions. -
Insight Spacecraft Launch for Mission to Interior of Mars
InSight Spacecraft Launch for Mission to Interior of Mars InSight is a robotic scientific explorer to investigate the deep interior of Mars set to launch May 5, 2018. It is scheduled to land on Mars November 26, 2018. It will allow us to better understand the origin of Mars. First Launch of Project Orion Project Orion took its first unmanned mission Exploration flight Test-1 (EFT-1) on December 5, 2014. It made two orbits in four hours before splashing down in the Pacific. The flight tested many subsystems, including its heat shield, electronics and parachutes. Orion will play an important role in NASA's journey to Mars. Orion will eventually carry astronauts to an asteroid and to Mars on the Space Launch System. Mars Rover Curiosity Lands After a nine month trip, Curiosity landed on August 6, 2012. The rover carries the biggest, most advanced suite of instruments for scientific studies ever sent to the martian surface. Curiosity analyzes samples scooped from the soil and drilled from rocks to record of the planet's climate and geology. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Begins Mission at Mars NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter launched from Cape Canaveral August 12. 2005, to find evidence that water persisted on the surface of Mars. The instruments zoom in for photography of the Martian surface, analyze minerals, look for subsurface water, trace how much dust and water are distributed in the atmosphere, and monitor daily global weather. Spirit and Opportunity Land on Mars January 2004, NASA landed two Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, on opposite sides of Mars. -
Radar Imager for Mars' Subsurface Experiment—RIMFAX
Space Sci Rev (2020) 216:128 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-020-00740-4 Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment—RIMFAX Svein-Erik Hamran1 · David A. Paige2 · Hans E.F. Amundsen3 · Tor Berger 4 · Sverre Brovoll4 · Lynn Carter5 · Leif Damsgård4 · Henning Dypvik1 · Jo Eide6 · Sigurd Eide1 · Rebecca Ghent7 · Øystein Helleren4 · Jack Kohler8 · Mike Mellon9 · Daniel C. Nunes10 · Dirk Plettemeier11 · Kathryn Rowe2 · Patrick Russell2 · Mats Jørgen Øyan4 Received: 15 May 2020 / Accepted: 25 September 2020 © The Author(s) 2020 Abstract The Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment (RIMFAX) is a Ground Pen- etrating Radar on the Mars 2020 mission’s Perseverance rover, which is planned to land near a deltaic landform in Jezero crater. RIMFAX will add a new dimension to rover investiga- tions of Mars by providing the capability to image the shallow subsurface beneath the rover. The principal goals of the RIMFAX investigation are to image subsurface structure, and to provide information regarding subsurface composition. Data provided by RIMFAX will aid Perseverance’s mission to explore the ancient habitability of its field area and to select a set of promising geologic samples for analysis, caching, and eventual return to Earth. RIM- FAX is a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar, which transmits a signal swept through a range of frequencies, rather than a single wide-band pulse. The operating frequency range of 150–1200 MHz covers the typical frequencies of GPR used in geology. In general, the full bandwidth (with effective center frequency of 675 MHz) will be used for The Mars 2020 Mission Edited by Kenneth A. -
Gao-21-306, Nasa
United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Committees May 2021 NASA Assessments of Major Projects GAO-21-306 May 2021 NASA Assessments of Major Projects Highlights of GAO-21-306, a report to congressional committees Why GAO Did This Study What GAO Found This report provides a snapshot of how The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) portfolio of major well NASA is planning and executing projects in the development stage of the acquisition process continues to its major projects, which are those with experience cost increases and schedule delays. This marks the fifth year in a row costs of over $250 million. NASA plans that cumulative cost and schedule performance deteriorated (see figure). The to invest at least $69 billion in its major cumulative cost growth is currently $9.6 billion, driven by nine projects; however, projects to continue exploring Earth $7.1 billion of this cost growth stems from two projects—the James Webb Space and the solar system. Telescope and the Space Launch System. These two projects account for about Congressional conferees included a half of the cumulative schedule delays. The portfolio also continues to grow, with provision for GAO to prepare status more projects expected to reach development in the next year. reports on selected large-scale NASA programs, projects, and activities. This Cumulative Cost and Schedule Performance for NASA’s Major Projects in Development is GAO’s 13th annual assessment. This report assesses (1) the cost and schedule performance of NASA’s major projects, including the effects of COVID-19; and (2) the development and maturity of technologies and progress in achieving design stability.