Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Jan 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002iaf..confe.694g&link_type=abstract
IAF abstracts, 34th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, The Second World Space Congress, held 10-19 October, 2002 in Houston, TX, USA.,
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
Throughout the past decade Mars has been subject to extensive research. Largely due to the fact that Mars is so alike our home world, numerous space craft have been sent out to visit this planet. Even though the majority of these craft have perished en route, or failed upon arrival, a vast amount of data could already be gathered. Orbiting satellites have mapped the surface and analysed global atmospheric and geophysical parameters, while the three successful landers of the Viking and Pathfinder missions have measured soil composition, sent back surface images and have probed the atmosphere for composition and climate data. And yet we find ourselves left with a gap - that of the intermediate scale. That of long range mobility of planetary dimensions combined with close up surface measurements and imaging. To fill this gap, various institutions have repeatedly suggested and studied the feasibility of an aerial reconnaissance mission. Following them is the Mars Society Germany in it's effort to fly a mission of that sort, supported by numerous companies, universities and the German Space Agency DLR. Besides being a technology demonstrator, the proposed craft will perform unique scientific experiments. Being a super pressure balloon it will have the ability to make close up images of the surface from an oblique perspective, probe the weak residual magnetic field from its position beneath the ionosphere, and use an atmospheric science package to provide for in situ measurements of local pressure, temperature and humidity. The associated instruments are a high resolution planetary camera provided by DLR Berlin, a magnetometer provided by TU Braunschweig and a meteorology package provided by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. These sensors have a combined weight of roughly 600 g without electronics, and are suspended beneath a 15 m diameter balloon in a small gondola of 4.3 kg. The aerobot itself has a mass of 17 kg and floats at approximately 5 km altitude. Eventually, the aerial platform itself becomes a scientific experiment owing to the fact that it represents a test particle that can be traced to investigate atmospheric movements on a planetary scale. While two possible balloon systems have been proposed, namely the Montgolfiere and the Super Pressure Balloon, the latter was chosen by the Mars Society Germany and is now subject of further design studies. At this time it is the only concept that seems to offer a potential for mission durations exceeding a few sols. The aerobot will be deployed after successful descent to the ground by the entry vehicle itself. It weighs less than 90 kg and is planned to be transported out to Mars on board the AMSAT P5-A mission, slated to launch in 2007. In addition to the work already mentioned, a preliminary parametric cost analysis for development, test and manufacturing of the craft has been performed, resulting in an estimated total cost of 55 M.
Griebel Hannes S.
Hettmer M.
Kalkum Felix
Knuth S.
Landgraf Markus
No associations
LandOfFree
The Mars Society Balloon Probe Mission does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Mars Society Balloon Probe Mission, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Mars Society Balloon Probe Mission will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1332415