Capabilities for Long-Duration Landers on Mercury

T Kremic; G Hunter; S Oleson; S Hauck; C Ernst

NASA NTRS · 20240006747

Capabilities for Long-Duration Landers on Mercury

T Kremic·G Hunter·S Oleson·S Hauck·C Ernst

Abstract

Mercury surface assets will be exposed to extreme thermal swings over a Mercury day (-180 C to +430 C). Dayside operations, in particular, are challenging from a thermal control and power perspective. Consequently, the latest planetary decadal survey process included a Mercury lander concept that only operated during the night. Recent technology advancements in high and low temperature systems may enable new science over the entire Mercury day.

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T Kremic, G Hunter, S Oleson, S Hauck, C Ernst. Capabilities for Long-Duration Landers on Mercury. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20240006747

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