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At least 307 records · Page 17

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NASA NTRS2002

Wake Closure Characteristics and Afterbody Heating on a Mars Sample Return Orbiter

Aeroheating wind-tunnel tests were conducted on a 0.028 scale model of an orbiter concept considered for a possible Mars sample return mission. The primary experimental objectives were to characterize hypersonic near wake closure and determine if shear layer impingement would occur on the proposed orbiter afterbody at incidence angles necessary for a Martian aerocapture maneuver. Global heat transfer mappings, surface streamline patterns, and shock shapes were obtained in the NASA Langley 20-Inch Mach 6 Air and CF4 Tunnels for post-normal shock Reynolds numbers (based on forebody diameter) ranging from 1,400 to 415,000, angles of attack ranging from -5 to 10 degrees at 0, 3, and 6 degree sideslip, and normal-shock density ratios of 5 and 12. Laminar, transitional, and turbulent shear layer impingement on the cylindrical afterbody was inferred from the measurements and resulted in a localized heating maximum that ranged from 40 to 75 percent of the reference forebody stagnation point heating. Comparison of laminar heating prediction to experimental measurement along the orbiter afterbody highlight grid alignment challenges associated with numerical simulation of three- dimensional separated wake flows. Predicted values of a continuum breakdown parameter revealed significant regions of non-continuum flow downstream of the flow separation at the MSRO shoulder and in the region of the reattachment shock on the afterbody. The presence of these regions suggest that the Navier-Stokes predictions at the laminar wind-tunnel condition may encounter errors in the numerical calculation of the wake shear layer development and impingement due to non-continuum effects.

Horvath, Thomas J.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Rocket sled testing of a prototype terrain-relative navigation system

The next generation of Martian landers (2007 and beyond) will employ a precision soft-landing capability that will make it possible to explore previously inaccessible regions on the surface of Mars. This capability will be enabled by onboard systems that automatically identify and avoid terrain containing steep slopes or rocks exceeding a particular terrain height. JPL is currently developing such a hazard detection and avoidance system; this system will map the landing zone with a scanning laser radar, identify hazards, select a safe landing zone, and then guide the vehicle to the selected landing area. This paper describes how one component of this system-hazard detection-is being tested using a rocket sled and simulated Martian terrain.

lidar↗

NASA NTRS2010

Geology of Libya Montes and the Interbasin Plains of Northern Tyrrhena Terra, Mars: First Year Results and Second Year Work Plan

The Libya Montes-Tyrrhena Terra highland-lowland transitional zone of Mars is a complex tectonic and erosional region that contains some of the oldest exposed materials on the Martian surface as well as aqueous mineral signatures that may be potential chemical artifacts of early highland formational processes. Our 1:1M scale mapping project includes the geologic materials and landforms contained within MTMs 00282, -05282, -10282, 00277, - 05277, and -10277, which cover the highland portion of the transitional zone. The map region extends from the Libya Montes southward into Tyrrhena Terra and to the northern rim of Hellas basin and includes volcanic rocks of Syrtis Major Planum and a broad lowlying plain (palus) that forms a topographic divide between Isidis and Hellas basins. The objective of this project is to describe the geologic history of regional massif and plains materials by combining geomorphological and compositional mapping observations. This abstract summarizes the technical approaches and interim scientific results of Year 1 efforts and the expected work plan for Year 2 efforts.

Skinner, J. A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Mineralogy of Layered Outcrops at Mawrth Vallis and Implications for Early Aqueous Geochemistry on Mars

Recently developed CRISM parameters and newly available DTMs are enabling refined characterization of the mineralogy at Mawrth Vallis. A stratigraphy including 5 units is mapped using HRSC DTMs across 100s of kms and using HiRISE DTMs across 100s of meters. Transitions in mineralogic units were characterized using spectral properties and surface morphology. The observations point to an ancient wet and warm geologic record that formed the thick nontronite unit, a period of wet/dry cycling to create acid alteration, followed by leaching or pedogenesis to result in Al-phyllosilicates, and finally a drier, colder climate that left the altered ash in the form of nanophase aluminosilicates, rather than crystalline clays.

Bishop, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Mars digital terrain model

The Mars Digital Terrain Model (DTM) is the result of a new project to: (1) digitize the series of 1:2,000,000-scale topographic maps of Mars, which are being derived photogrammetically under a separate project, and (2) reformat the digital contour information into rasters of elevation that can be readily registered with the Digital Image Model (DIM) of Mars. Derivation of DTM's involves interpolation of elevation values into 1/64-degree resolution and transformation of them to a sinusoidal equal-area projection. Digital data are produced in blocks corresponding with the coordinates of the original 1:2,000,000-scale maps, i.e., the dimensions of each block in the equatorial belt are 22.5 deg of longitude and 15 deg of latitude. This DTM is not only compatible with the DIM, but it can also be registered with other data such as geologic units or gravity. It will be the most comprehensive record of topographic information yet compiled for the Martian surface. Once the DTM's are established, any enhancement of Mars topographic information made with updated data, such as data from the planned Mars Observer Mission, will be by mathematical transformation of the DTM's, eliminating the need for recompilation.

Wu, Sherman S. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

'Dust' streaks on Mars

Global mapping and photometry of selected areas on Mars are used to investigate the nature of bright and dark wind streaks that extend from topographic obstacles. Occurrence of both bright and dark streaks is strongly latitude dependent and is only weakly correlated with surface properties such as albedo and thermal inertia. Data on the colors, albedos, and phase behavior of streaks are consistent with models of bright streaks as mosaics of plains materials and brighter, redder dust. Less than 20 percent of the ground need be covered by the optically thick dust in the brightest parts of the streaks; the amount of dust in optically thick layers could be as little as 0.001 g/sq cm. Dark streaks can be interpreted as erosional windows in a patchy dust cover. The model of dust deposition in optically thick patches is sedimentologically different from scenarios involving the deposition of ubiquitous, optically thin layers. It has the advantage that large amounts of dust can be deposited without affecting regional albedos.

Thomas, P.↗

NASA NTRS2003

4-D Model of CO2 Deposition at North and South of Mars from HEND/Odyssey and MOLA/MGS

The first 1.5 year of neutron mapping measurements onboard Mars Odyssey spacecraft are presented based on High Energy Neutron Detector (HEND) observations. HEND instrument is a part of GRS suite responsible for registration of epithermal and fast neutrons originating in Mars subsurface layer. The scattering of fast neutrons in Mars surface caused by primary cosmic rays is strongly sensitive to presence of hydrogen atoms. Even several percents of subsurface water significantly depress epithermal and fast neutron flux. It turns orbit neutron spectroscopy into one of most efficient methods for finding distribution of subsurface water. The Mars Odyssey observations revealed huge water- ice regions above 60N and 60S latitudes. It was founded that distribution of subsurface water has layered structure at these regions. It is thought that more than 50% wt water ice covered by relatively dry layer with different thickness.

M L Litvak↗

NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Mars: Surface Coatings, Mineralogy, and Surface Properties

The session "Mars: Surface Coatings, Mineralogy, and Surface Properties" contained the following reports:High-Silica Rock Coatings: TES Surface-Type 2 and Chemical Weathering on Mars; Old Desert Varnish-like Coatings and Young Breccias at the Mars Pathfinder Landing Site; Analyses of IR-Stealthy and Coated Surface Materials: A Comparison of LIBS and Reflectance Spectra and Their Application to Mars Surface Exploration; Contrasting Interpretations of TES Spectra of the 2003 Rover:Opportunity-Landing Site: Hematite Coatings and Gray Hematite; A New Hematite Formation Mechanism for Mars; Geomorphic and Diagenetic Analogs to Hematite Regions on Mars: Examples from Jurassic Sandstones of Southern Utah, USA; The Geologic Record of Early Mars: A Layered, Cratered, and "Valley-"ed: Volume; A Simple Approach to Estimating Surface Emissivity with THEMIS; A Large Scale Topographic Correction for THEMIS Data; Thermophysical Properties of Meridiani Planum, Mars; Thermophysical and Spectral Properties of Gusev, the MER-Spirit Landing Site on Mars; Determining Water Content of Geologic Materials Using Reflectance Spectroscopy; and Global Mapping of Martian Bound Water at 6.1 Microns Based on TES Data: Seasonal Hydration.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2012

Surface Textures and Features Indicative of Endogenous Growth at the McCartys Flow Field, NM, as an Analog to Martian Volcanic Plains

Basaltic lavas typically form channels or tubes, which are recognized on the Earth and Mars. Although largely unrecognized in the planetary community, terrestrial inflated sheet flows also display morphologies that share many commonalities with lava plains on Mars. The McCartys lava flow field is among the youngest (approx.3000 yrs) basaltic flows in the continental United States. The southwest sections of the flow displays smooth, flat-topped plateaus with irregularly shaped pits and hummocky inter-plateau units that form a polygonal surface. Plateaus are typically elongate in map view, up to 20 m high and display lineations within the glassy crust. Lineated surfaces occasionally display small < 1m diameter lava coils. Lineations are generally straight and parallel each other, sometimes for over 100 meters. The boundaries between plateaus and depressions are also lineated and tilted to angles sometimes approaching vertical. Plateau-parallel cracks, sometimes containing squeeze-ups, mark the boundary between tilted crust and plateau. Some plateau depressions display level floors with hummocky surfaces, while some are bowl shaped with floors covered in broken lava slabs. The lower walls of pits sometimes display lateral, sagged lava wedges. Infrequently, pit floors display the upper portion of a tumulus from an older flow. In some places the surface crust has been disrupted forming a slabby texture. Slabs are typically on the scale of a meter or less across and no less than 7-10 cm thick. The slabs preserve the lineated textures of the undisturbed plateau crust. It appears that this style of terrain represents the emplacement of an extensive sheet that experiences inflation episodes within preferred regions where lateral spreading of the sheet is inhibited, thereby forming plateaus. Rough surfaces represent inflation-related disruption of pahoehoe lava and not a a lava. Depressions are often the result of non-inflation and can be clearly identified by lateral squeeze-outs along the pit walls that form when the rising crust exposes the still liquid core of the sheet. The plains of Tharsis and Elysium, Mars, display many analogous features

Bleacher, Jacob E.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary Mariner 9 report on the geology of Mars.

Mariner 9 results indicate that Mars is geologically far more heterogeneous than previously suspected from earlier flyby missions; the surface has been shaped by volcanic, tectonic, erosional, and depositional activity. The equatorial region between 30 deg N and 30 deg S latitude is depicted in four geologic sketch maps, and seventeen geologic units are defined on the basis of their textural characteristics. The maps and the brief descriptions of geological units portrayed are followed by a series of more interpretive discussions dealing with topical problems and a summary geologic history. Topics covered include cratering, circular basins, volcanism, canyons, chaotic terrain, channels, and eolian activity.

Mccauley, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Mariner 9 high-resolution albedo mapping of Mars

Large and small scale albedo markings obtained from Mariner 9 photographs and ground based telescope observations are shown on quadrangle charts with a scale of 1:5,000,000. Mercator and stereographic projections at the same scale are presented of the various regions of Mars along with explanatory information about their preparation. Changes in the albedo for the Solis Lacus area were observed and are compared with previous data for the same region. Large scale relief maps covering up to 1.7 million sq miles of the Martian surface are included.

Devaucouleurs, G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The thermal properties of Martian surface materials at high lattitudes: Possible evidence for permafrost

Evidence is presented from analysis of Viking thermal mapping results that suggests a transition to high thermal inertial material at a depth of approx. 12 cm at +75 deg latitude. This was interpreted as reflecting the transition from ice poor soil to hard frozen permafrost. It was pointed out that such a transition would be expected on the basis of theoretical models of hard frozen permafrost distribution. Although permafrost is not the only plausible martian surface material with high thermal inertia, polar thermal mapping may turn out to be a powerful tool for determining the distribution of permafrost deposits and understanding their behavior. At this point, the circumstantial case for permafrost deposits in the north pole region of Mars is very strong.

Paige, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Outer Solar System

The session 'Outer Solar System" inlcuded:Monte Carlo Modeling of [O I] 630 nm Auroral Emission on Io; The Detection of Iron Sulfide on Io; Io and Loki in 2003 as Seen from the Infrared Telescope Facility Using Mutual Satellite and Jupiter Occultations; Mapping of the Zamama-Thor Region of Io; First Solar System Results of the Spitzer Space Telescope; Mapping the Surface of Pluto with the Hubble Space Telescope; Experimental Study on Fischer-Tropsch Catalysis in the Circum-Saturnian Subnebula; New High-Pressure Phases of Ammonia Dihydrate; Gas Hydrate Stability at Low Temperatures and High Pressures with Applications to Mars and Europa; Laboratory UV Photolysis of Planetary Ice Analogs Containing H2O + CO2 (1:1); The OH Stretch Infrared Band of Water Ice and Its Temperature and Radiation Dependence; Band Position Variations in Reflectance Spectra of the Jovian Satellite Ganymede; Comparison of Porosity and Radar Models for Europa s Near Surface; Combined Effects of Diurnal and Nonsynchronous Surface Stresses on Europa; Europa s Northern Trailing Hemisphere: Lineament Stratigraphic Framework; Europa at the Highest Resolution: Implications for Surface Processes and Landing Sites; Comparison of Methods to Determine Furrow System Centers on Ganymede and Callisto; Resurfacing of Ganymede by Liquid-Water Volcanism; Layered Ejecta Craters on Ganymede: Comparisons with Martian Analogs; Evaluation of the Possible Presence of CO2-Clathrates in Europa s Icy Shell or Seafloor; Geosciences at Jupiter s Icy Moons: The Midas Touch; Planetary Remote Sensing Science Enabled by MIDAS (Multiple Instrument Distributed Aperture Sensor); and In Situ Surveying of Saturn s Rings.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2012

Smart Cameras for Remote Science Survey

Communication with remote exploration spacecraft is often intermittent and bandwidth is highly constrained. Future missions could use onboard science data understanding to prioritize downlink of critical features [1], draft summary maps of visited terrain [2], or identify targets of opportunity for followup measurements [3]. We describe a generic approach to classify geologic surfaces for autonomous science operations, suitable for parallelized implementations in FPGA hardware. We map these surfaces with texture channels - distinctive numerical signatures that differentiate properties such as roughness, pavement coatings, regolith characteristics, sedimentary fabrics and differential outcrop weathering. This work describes our basic image analysis approach and reports an initial performance evaluation using surface images from the Mars Exploration Rovers. Future work will incorporate these methods into camera hardware for real-time processing.

robotics↗

NASA NTRS2010

Utilization of 3-D Imaging Flash Lidar Technology for Autonomous Safe Landing on Planetary Bodies

NASA considers Flash Lidar a critical technology for enabling autonomous safe landing of future large robotic and crewed vehicles on the surface of the Moon and Mars. Flash Lidar can generate 3-Dimensional images of the terrain to identify hazardous features such as craters, rocks, and steep slopes during the final stages of descent and landing. The onboard flight computer can use the 3-D map of terrain to guide the vehicle to a safe site. The capabilities of Flash Lidar technology were evaluated through a series of static tests using a calibrated target and through dynamic tests aboard a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft. The aircraft flight tests were performed over Moon-like terrain in the California and Nevada deserts. This paper briefly describes the Flash Lidar static and aircraft flight test results. These test results are analyzed against the landing application requirements to identify the areas of technology improvement. The ongoing technology advancement activities are then explained and their goals are described.

Amzajerdian, Farzin↗

NASA NTRS2003

Statistical Distribution of Inflation on Lava Flows: Analysis of Flow Surfaces on Earth and Mars

The surface morphology of a lava flow results from processes that take place during the emplacement of the flow. Certain types of features, such as tumuli, lava rises and lava rise pits, are indicators of flow inflation or endogenous growth of a lava flow. Tumuli in particular have been identified as possible indicators of tube location, indicating that their distribution on the surface of a lava flow is a junction of the internal pathways of lava present during flow emplacement. However, the distribution of tumuli on lava flows has not been examined in a statistically thorough manner. In order to more rigorously examine the distribution of tumuli on a lava flow, we examined a discrete flow lobe with numerous lava rises and tumuli on the 1969 - 1974 Mauna Ulu flow at Kilauea, Hawaii. The lobe is located in the distal portion of the flow below Holei Pali, which is characterized by hummocky pahoehoe flows emplaced from tubes. We chose this flow due to its discrete nature allowing complete mapping of surface morphologies, well-defined boundaries, well-constrained emplacement parameters, and known flow thicknesses. In addition, tube locations for this Mauna Ulu flow were mapped by Holcomb (1976) during flow emplacement. We also examine the distribution of tumuli on the distal portion of the hummocky Thrainsskjoldur flow field provided by Rossi and Gudmundsson (1996). Analysis of the Mauna Ulu and Thrainsskjoldur flow lobes and the availability of high-resolution MOC images motivated us to look for possible tumuli-dominated flow lobes on the surface of Mars. We identified a MOC image of a lava flow south of Elysium Mons with features morphologically similar to tumuli. The flow is characterized by raised elliptical to circular mounds, some with axial cracks, that are similar in size to the tumuli measured on Earth. One potential avenue of determining whether they are tumuli is to look at the spatial distribution to see if any patterns similar to those of tumuli-dominated terrestrial flows can be identified. Since tumuli form by the injection of lava beneath a crust, the distribution of tumuli on a flow should represent the distribution of thermally preferred pathways beneath the surface of the crust. That distribution of thermally preferred pathways may be a function of the evolution of a basaltic lava flow. As a longer-lived flow evolves, initially broad thermally preferred pathways would evolve to narrower, more well-defined tube-like pathways. The final flow morphology clearly preserves the growth of the flow over time, with inflation features indicating pathways that were not necessarily contemporaneously active. Here, we test using statistical analysis whether this final flow morphology produces distinct distributions that can be used to readily determine the distribution of thermally preferred pathways beneath the surface of the crust.

Glazel, L. S.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Topographic Evidence for Eruptive Style Changes and Magma Evolution of Small Plains-style Volcanoes on Earth and Mars

Topographic profiles and surface characteristics of small (5 - 25 km diameter) plains-style shield volcanoes on the eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) provide a method to evaluate eruptive processes and magmatic evolution on Martian volcanic plains. The ESRP is an ideal place to observe Mars-like volcanic features where hundreds of small monogenetic basaltic shields dominate the volcanic-sedimentary depositional sequence, and numerous planetary analogues are evident: coalescent mafic shields, hydromagmatic explosive eruptions, the interaction of lava flows with surficial water and glacial ice, and abundant eolian sand and loess. Single flows cannot be correlated over great distances, and are spatially restricted. These relations are useful for planetary exploration when inferring volcanic evolutionary patterns in lava plains represented by numerous eruptive vents. High spatial resolution imagery and digital topographic data for Mars from MOC, MOLA, and THEMIS is allowing for improvements in the level of detail of stratigraphic mapping of fields of small (< 25 km in diameter) volcanoes as well as studies of the morphological characteristics of individual volcanoes. In order to compare Mars and Earth volcanic features, elevation data from U.S.G.S. 10-meter digital elevation models (DEMs) and high-precision GPS field measurements are used in this study to generate approx. 20m spacing topographic profiles from which slope and surface morphology can be extracted. Average ESRP flank and crater slopes are calculated using 100 - 200 m spacing for optimum comparison to MOLA data, and to reduce the effects of surface irregularities.

Hughes, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A diffuse radar scattering model from Martian surface rocks

Remote sensing of Mars has been done with a variety of instrumentation at various wavelengths. Many of these data sets can be reconciled with a surface model of bonded fines (or duricrust) which varies widely across the surface and a surface rock distribution which varies less so. A surface rock distribution map from -60 to +60 deg latitude has been generated by Christensen. Our objective is to model the diffuse component of radar reflection based on this surface distribution of rocks. The diffuse, rather than specular, scattering is modeled because the diffuse component arises due to scattering from rocks with sizes on the order of the wavelength of the radar beam. Scattering for radio waves of 12.5 cm is then indicative of the meter scale and smaller structure of the surface. The specular term is indicative of large scale surface undulations and should not be causally related to other surface physical properties. A simplified model of diffuse scattering is described along with two rock distribution models. The results of applying the models to a planet of uniform fractional rock coverage with values ranging from 5 to 20% are discussed.

Calvin, W. M.↗