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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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NASA NTRS2004

Arc Jet Testing of Carbon Phenolic for Mars Sample Return and Future NASA Missions

The objective of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) Mission is to return a sample of MArtian soil to Earth. The Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV) brings te samples through the atmosphere to the ground.The program aims to: Model aerothermal environment during EEV flight; On the basis of results, select potential TPS materials for EEV forebody; Fabricate TPS materials; Test the materials in the arc jet environment representative of predicted flight environment;Evaluate material performance; Compare results of modeling predictions with test results.

Laub, Bernard↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mars Sample Return Earth Entry System Helicopter Drop Test Reconstruction

The Mars Sample Return campaign conducted four successful helicopter drop tests of the Earth Entry System at the Utah Test and Training Range on October, 2023. The tests acquired data for the 52.5 deg sphere cone geometry that can be used to develop models for the terminal descent aerodynamics and flight dynamics used to model ground impact conditions. The acquired test data included both sensor data outputs from an on-board inertial measurement unit, global positioning system, and video cameras as well as atmospheric measurements from weather balloons. This data was processed using a Kalman filter/smoother to reconstruct the capsule’s trajectory and aerodynamics. An equation-error method was used to reconcile the aerodynamics by solving for a set of dispersions in the aerodynamic database that form a best-fit to the reconstructed aerodynamics. The reconstructed trajectories were compared with flight simulations generated using Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II. The results indicate that the simulation underpredicted the vehicle oscillation amplitudes. The reconstruction exhibits a persistent low-amplitude oscillation that does not damp out as predicted.

Chris D Karlgaard↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mars Sample Return Earth Entry System Helicopter Drop Test Reconstruction

The Mars Sample Return campaign conducted four successful helicopter drop tests of the Earth Entry System at the Utah Test and Training Range on October, 2023. The tests acquired data for the 52.5 deg sphere cone geometry that can be used to develop models for the terminal descent aerodynamics and flight dynamics used to model ground impact conditions. The acquired test data included both sensor data outputs from an on-board inertial measurement unit, global positioning system, and video cameras as well as atmospheric measurements from weather balloons. This data was processed using a Kalman filter/smoother to reconstruct the capsule’s trajectory and aerodynamics. An equation-error method was used to reconcile the aerodynamics by solving for a set of dispersions in the aerodynamic database that form a best-fit to the reconstructed aerodynamics. The reconstructed trajectories were compared with flight simulations generated using Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories II. The results indicate that the simulation underpredicted the vehicle oscillation amplitudes. The reconstruction exhibits a persistent low-amplitude oscillation that does not damp out as predicted.

Chris D Karlgaard↗
NASA NTRS2008

2003 Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Robotic Field Geologists for a Mars Sample Return Mission

The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit landed in Gusev crater on Jan. 4, 2004 and the rover Opportunity arrived on the plains of Meridiani Planum on Jan. 25, 2004. The rovers continue to return new discoveries after 4 continuous Earth years of operations on the surface of the red planet. Spirit has successfully traversed 7.5 km over the Gusev crater plains, ascended to the top of Husband Hill, and entered into the Inner Basin of the Columbia Hills. Opportunity has traveled nearly 12 km over flat plains of Meridiani and descended into several impact craters. Spirit and Opportunity carry an integrated suite of scientific instruments and tools called the Athena science payload. The Athena science payload consists of the 1) Panoramic Camera (Pancam) that provides high-resolution, color stereo imaging, 2) Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) that provides spectral cubes at mid-infrared wavelengths, 3) Microscopic Imager (MI) for close-up imaging, 4) Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) for elemental chemistry, 5) Moessbauer Spectrometer (MB) for the mineralogy of Fe-bearing materials, 6) Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) for removing dusty and weathered surfaces and exposing fresh rock underneath, and 7) Magnetic Properties Experiment that allow the instruments to study the composition of magnetic martian materials [1]. The primary objective of the Athena science investigation is to explore two sites on the martian surface where water may once have been present, and to assess past environmental conditions at those sites and their suitability for life. The Athena science instruments have made numerous scientific discoveries over the 4 plus years of operations. The objectives of this paper are to 1) describe the major scientific discoveries of the MER robotic field geologists and 2) briefly summarize what major outstanding questions were not answered by MER that might be addressed by returning samples to our laboratories on Earth.

Ming, Douglas W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mars Sample Return Science Planning Group Phase 2 (MSPG2): Overview & Interim Report

Mars Sample Return (MSR) has been a high priority of the international planetary science community for decades. In recent years, significant programmatic advances have brought MSR closer to becoming a reality. In 2018, NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a joint Statement of Intent to continue defining respective roles and responsibilities in the flight missions required to realize MSR. In October 2020, NASA and ESA formalized this partnership with the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding for the MSR flight elements. The MSR campaign consists of M2020, two MSR flight elements and the ground-based infrastructure to receive, handle and curate the samples from Mars. In an engineering sense, MSR consists of a linked set of missions, and a concluding set of ground-based activities, that we refer to as the MSR Campaign.

G. Kminek↗
NASA NTRS1991

Mars Sample Return mission: Two alternate scenarios

Two scenarios for accomplishing a Mars Sample Return mission are presented herein. Mission A is a low cost, low mass scenario, while Mission B is a high technology, high science alternative. Mission A begins with the launch of one Titan IV rocket with a Centaur G' upper stage. The Centaur performs the trans-Mars injection burn and is then released. The payload consists of two lander packages and the Orbital Transfer Vehicle, which is responsible for supporting the landers during launch and interplanetary cruise. After descending to the surface, the landers deploy small, local rovers to collect samples. Mission B starts with 4 Titan IV launches, used to place the parts of the Planetary Transfer Vehicle (PTV) into orbit. The fourth launch payload is able to move to assemble the entire vehicle by simple docking routines. Once complete, the PTV begins a low thrust trajectory out from low Earth orbit, through interplanetary space, and into low Martian orbit. It deploys a communication satellite into a 1/2 sol orbit and then releases the lander package at 500 km altitude. The lander package contains the lander, the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), two lighter than air rovers (called Aereons), and one conventional land rover. The entire package is contained with a biconic aeroshell. After release from the PTV, the lander package descends to the surface, where all three rovers are released to collect samples and map the terrain.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1990

Mars sample return missions, precursors to manned planetary exploration

Technologies and concepts applicable to eventual manned exploration of Mars, as demonstrated by the Mars Sample Return Mission, are presented. These include aerocapturing at Mars; safe and accurate descent and landing effectively using aerobraking and propulsion; launch and ascent from the Martian surface; rendezvous and docking with an orbiting return vehicle; and a safe return to earth. Critical mission elements are expected to function independently of either earth or astronaut control to ensure human safety. The Mars Rover Sample Return Mission includes such elements as autonomous functions in this unmanned mission. Based on the analyses performed and the concepts investigated, it is suggested that robotic missions are feasible for late 1990s without any major technology development being required.

Stager, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS2008

What We Might Know About Gusev Crater if the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit Mission were Coupled with a Mars Sample Return Mission

The science instruments on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit have provided an enormous amount of chemical and mineralogical data during more than 1450 sols of exploration at Gusev crater. The Moessbauer (MB) instrument identified 10 Fe-bearing phases at Gusev Crater: olivine, pyroxene, ilmenite, chromite, and magnetite as primary igneous phases and nanophase ferric oxide (npOx), goethite, hematite, a ferric sulfate, and pyrite/marcusite as secondary phases. The Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) identified some of these Fe-bearing phases (olivine and pyroxene), non- Fe-bearing phases (e.g., feldspar), and an amorphous high-SiO2 phase near Home Plate. Chemical data from the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) provided the framework for rock classification, chemical weathering/alteration, and mineralogical constraints. APXS-based mineralogical constraints include normative calculations (with Fe(3+)/FeT from MB), elemental associations, and stoichiometry (e.g., 90% SiO2 implicates opalline silica). If Spirit had cached a set of representative samples and if those samples were returned to the Earth for laboratory analysis, what value is added by Mars Sample return (MSR) over and above the mineralogical and chemical data provided by MER?

Morris, Richard V.↗
NASA NTRS1997

A Rocket Engine for Mars Sample Return Using In Situ Propellants

Recent studies for the planned Mars sample return mission were reviewed and modified to utilize carbon monoxide and oxygen as potential in situ propellants. Based on these studies a representative full scale engine thrust of 2225 N (500 lbf) was selected as appropriate to demonstrate performance, and the design for that engine is presented. Previous experimental results combined with parametric analyses were used to define the geometry for the engine which operates on liquid carbon monoxide and liquid oxygen. The engine was constructed using a combination of high-temperature alloys and lightweight ceramics. The materials selected were hafnium oxide, iridium, rhenium, and carbon-carbon.

Linne, Diane L.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Facility Concepts for Mars Returned Sample Handling

Samples returned from Mars must be held in quarantine until their biological safety has been determined. A significant challenge, unique to NASA's needs, is how to contain the samples (to protect the blaspheme) while simultaneously protecting their pristine nature. This paper presents a comparative analysis of several quarantine facility concepts for handling and analyzing these samples. The considerations in this design analysis include: modes of manipulation; capability for destructive as well as non-destructive testing; avoidance of cross-contamination; linear versus recursive processing; and sample storage and retrieval within a closed system. The ability to rigorously contain biologically hazardous materials has been amply demonstrated by facilities that meet the specifications of the Center for Disease Control Biosafety Level 4. The newly defined Planetary Protection Level Alpha must provide comparable containment while assuring that the samples remain pristine; the latter requirement is based on the need to avoid compromising science analyses by instrumentation of the highest possible sensitivity (among other things this will assure that there is no false positive detection of organisms or organic molecules - a situation that would delay or prevent the release of the samples from quarantine). Protection of the samples against contamination by terrestrial organisms and organic molecules makes a considerable impact upon the sample handling facility. The use of glove boxes appears to be impractical because of their tendency to leak and to surges. As a result, a returned sample quarantine facility must consider the use of automation and remote manipulation to carry out the various functions of sample handling and transfer within the system. The problem of maintaining sensitive and bulky instrumentation under the constraints of simultaneous sample containment and contamination protection also places demands on the architectural configuration of the facility that houses it.

Cohen, Marc M.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Mars Sample Return Mission Design

The impetus for this Workshop comes from NASA and the Administration's request of funds from Congress for an ambitious, long-term Mars exploration program that includes the return of samples from Mars. This paper will describe that program, the science strategy behind it, and key aspects relevant to this Workshop.

Adler, Mark↗
NASA NTRS2008

Mars Sample Return from Meridiani Planum

The NASA Mars Exploration Program has four main goals: (i) determine if life ever arose there, (ii) understand the processes and history of its climate, (iii) determine the evolution of its surface and interior, and (iv) prepare for human exploration of Mars. These goals are embodied in the NASA Mars exploration strategy Follow the Water. Current Mars exploration tactics for lander missions build on knowledge gained by prior orbital investigations; the science rationale for choosing landing sites is based on the current best interpretation of the geology. A future Mars sample return mission will greatly exceed in cost typical lander missions because of the need to design for return to Earth and the infrastructure needed on Earth to curate and process the samples safely and cleanly. Because of this added cost burden, expectations for science return are higher. There must be some prospect that the returned samples will allow for testing higher level hypotheses relevant to NASA's goals. Site selection must be based on knowledge gained from prior in situ measurements to enhance the prospects for successfully meeting these goals. I will argue that Meridiani Planum should be that site.

Mittlefehldt, David W.↗