CONTROL ID: 2066334
SUBMISSION ROLE: Regular DPS Abstract

DATE/TIME CREATED: August 6, 2014, 1:09 PM
TITLE: Atmospheric properties reconstruction from the Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent and Landing
ABSTRACT BODY:
Abstract (2,250 Maximum Characters): The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landed on August 5, 2012 in Gale Crater on Mars (4.5 S, 137.4 E) [1]. The MSL entry vehicle measured accelerations and angular velocity during its descent through the Martian atmosphere using accelerometers and gyroscopes in an inertial measurement unit. We have applied smoothing techniques previously developed for the NASA Phoenix Mars mission [2] to these acceleration data. Smoothed accelerations were used in conjunction with the vehicle’s aerodynamic database to reconstruct atmospheric density, pressure and temperature profiles to above 120 km altitude. The density profile was estimated using axial accelerations in the drag force equation. Corresponding pressure and temperature profiles were calculated using the hydrostatic equilibrium and ideal gas law, respectively.
In contrast to previous missions, MSL used a guided entry that resulted in periods of near-horizontal flight at approximately 20 km altitude [3], during which pressure could not be determined from hydrostatic equilibrium. Instead, atmospheric pressures at low altitudes were determined independently by the Mars Entry Atmospheric Data System (MEADS) [4]. These were used in conjunction with accelerometer-derived densities to extend the atmospheric temperature profile through the period of near-horizontal flight.
Although the results present only a snapshot of the regional atmospheric conditions at the time of entry, descent and landing of MSL, they have excellent vertical resolution and vertical extent, thereby complementing orbital observations. We will present an overview of our atmospheric reconstruction process, the derived atmospheric profiles, and preliminary scientific interpretation of the atmospheric results.

References: [1] Vasavada, A.R. et al (2014), JGR-Planets, 119, 6, 1134-1161 [2] Withers, P. (2013) Planet. & Space Sci., 79-80, 52-55, [3] Dutta, S. et al. (2013) 23rd AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, AAS 13-309, [4] Schoenenberger, M. et al. (2013) 23rd AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting, AAS 13-306


PRESENTATION TYPE: Poster
CURRENT * CATEGORY: Mars: Atmosphere | Other
CURRENT : None | None
AUTHORS (FIRST NAME, LAST NAME): Christina Holstein-Rathlou1, Paul Withers1
INSTITUTIONS (ALL): 1. Center for Space Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.
Contributing Teams:
Abstract Details