Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Mar 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999stin...9987445c&link_type=abstract
1998 Research Reports: NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, p. 25
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Andesite, Dust Storms, Electric Charge, Electrostatics, Mars Environment, Mars Surface, Simulation, Hubble Space Telescope, Mars Missions, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Spectroscopy, Viking Mars Program, X Ray Spectrometers
Scientific paper
The Viking mission and, more recently, the Hubble Space Telescope, provided evidence for the existence of global dust storms on Mars. Several of these dust storms were observed to last for several months. Dust particles striking the surfaces of any equipment used in future Mars missions may create potentials that may compromise the safety of astronauts and equipment in future Mars missions. Experiments that yield information on the electrostatic properties of the Martian soil and its effects on common space materials are needed before any such missions are undertaken. In this project, experimental desi(,ns were constructed and setup to measure the electrostatic properties of small particles derived from Andesitic rocks and to determine the charging characteristics of common space materials exposed to these particles. Andesitic rock was identified by Pathfinder to be the primary type of rock on Mars. These experimental designs should serve as the basis for experiments to be performed in a simulated Mars environment (SME). MARS-1, a simulant prepared from Andesitic rocks by NASA Johnson Space Center was used in this project. Characterization of this simulant was made using using a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Spectroscopy (ICAP) coupled with a carbon-sulfur detector, These results were compared to the Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer analysis on the Sojourner rover. The simulant was found to be a suitable substitute for Martian soil. Experimental designs to determine the polarization of this simulant were set up. The simulant was observed to acquire a polarization in the presence of electric fields of the order of 2.9 N/C. Initial measurements yielded values of charge polarization densities of the order of 30 nC/g. Two experimental designs and methods to simulate the exposure of different materials to wind-blown dust were made. These designs permit dust particle delivery to samples at different speeds. Initial rough experiments made with these designs to determine their viability were promising. These initial experiments indicated the need for several minor modifications in the designs and in the methods.
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