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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12

Scientific rationale for selecting northwest Isidis Planitia (14 deg - 17 deg N latitude, 278 deg - 281 deg longitude) as a potential Mars Pathfinder landing site

The northwest Isidis Basin offers a unique opportunity to land near a fretted terrain lowland/upland boundary that meets both the latitudinal and elevation requirements imposed on the spacecraft. The landing site lies east of erosional scarps and among remnant massif inselbergs of the Syrtis Major volcanic plains. The plains surface throughout Isidis exhibits abundant, low-relief mounds that are the local expression of the 'thumbprint terrain' that is common within a few hundred kilometers of the lowland/upland boundary. The massif inselbergs are not as numerous nor as massive as those fretted terrains to the northwest, so local slopes are not expected to be steep. Neither feature should pose a serious threat to the lander. Landing on or adjacent to one of these features would enhance the science return and would help to pinpoint the landing site in Viking and subsequent orbiter images by offering views of landmarks beyond the local horizon.

Parker, Tim J.↗

Imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMF)

The IMP camera is a near-surface sensing experiment with many capabilities beyond those normally associated with an imager. It is fully pointable in both elevation and azimuth with a protected, stowed position looking straight down. Stereo separation is provided with two optical paths; each has a 12-position filter wheel. The primary function of the camera, strongly tied to mission success, is to take a color panorama of the surrounding terrain. IMP requires approximately 120 images to give a complete downward hemisphere from the deployed position. IMP provides the geologist, and everyone else, a view of the local morphology with millimeter-tometer-scale resolution over a broad area. In addition to the general morphology of the scale, IMP has a large compliment of specially chosen filters to aid in both the identification of the mineral types and their degree of weathering.

Smith, Peter H.↗

Mars Pathfinder Battery Performance

Contents include the following: (1) mission requirements; (2) battery design features; (3) battery operational overview; (4) battery performance; and (5) summary and conclusions.

Otzinger, Burton↗

Results of the Imager for Mars Pathfinder Windsock Experiment

The IMP windsock experiment measured wind speeds at three heights within 1.2 m of the martian surface during Pathfinder landed operations. Data from the strongest breezes indicate aerodynamic roughness = 3 cm, wind friction speeds up to 1 m/sec.

Sullivan, R.↗

Get the Red Out: Removing Diffuse Sky Illumination from Mars Pathfinder Images

Radiative transfer calculations are performed to remove the effect of diffuse illumination on the color of the martian surface. We describe the methods and apply them to a radiometric calibration target, and to a superpan cube of the rock Yogi. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Stoker, Carol↗

Prediction and validation of high frequency vibration repsonses of NASA Mars Pathfinder spacecraft due to acoustic launch load using statistical energy analysis

Mid and high frequency structural responses of a spacecraft during the launch condition are mainly dominated by the intense acoustic pressure field over the exterior of the launch vehicle. The prediction of structural responses due to the acoustic launch load is therefore an important analysis for engineers and scientists to correctly define various dynamics specifications of the spacecraft.

statistical energy analysis SEA high frequency res↗

Mars Pathfinder Microrover

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Photographs from the Publication of Aviation Week ↗