EPS 365 Flashcards

Solar System Exploration Missions

• Current Missions:

  • Messenger at Mercury

  • Mars Curiosity Rover (2011-present)

  • Mars Perseverance Rover (2020-present)

  • Europa Clipper (2024-present)

  • Pluto & Kuiper Belt Exploration

Page 1: Overview of Current Missions

• Details the various missions exploring the Solar System, such as:

  • Messenger studying Mercury.

  • Curiosity Rover investigating Mars since 2011.

  • Perseverance Rover actively exploring Mars since 2020.

  • Europa Clipper mission slated for launch in 2024 aimed at exploring Europa.

  • Missions to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.

Page 2: Messenger (Mercury Orbiter)

• Launched on August 3, 2004 at 06:15:56 UTC by NASA from Cape Canaveral.

• Utilized a Delta II 7925 launch vehicle; burn sequence lasted 57 minutes.

• Entered heliocentric orbit at a velocity of 10.68 km/s ; took 6 years, 7 months, and 16 days to orbit Mercury (March 18, 2011).

• Crashed onto Mercury's surface on April 30, 2015, likely creating a 16 m wide crater.

Page 3: New Horizons (Pluto Flyby)

• Launch Date: January 19, 2006

• Arrival at Pluto: July 2015

• Objectives:

  • Flyby Pluto and Charon, transmit images and data back to Earth.

  • Explore Kuiper Belt post-Pluto flyby.

  • Characterize the global geology and morphology of Pluto and Charon.

  • Map surface composition and characterize Pluto's atmosphere.

Page 4: Mars Science Laboratory

• Launched on November 26, 2011, at 7:02 a.m. PST.

• Landed at 10:32 p.m. PDT, August 5, 2012.

• Responsible for the Curiosity Rover's operations on Mars.

Page 5: Historical Mars Launches Timeline

• Overview of Mars missions from 1960 to present, indicating outcomes:

  • Viking (success), Pathfinder (success), Curiosity (success).

  • Varying successes noted alongside projected timelines for other missions leading to and beyond 2020.

Page 6: MSL Science Strategy

• Main Strategies to explore Mars:

  1. Traverse/Approach:

     • Drive approximately 100 m per sol.

     • Imaging, profiling chemistry, and locating targets.

  2. Remote Sensing:

     • Imaging landscapes and sampling rock/soil chemistry.

  3. Contact Science:

     • Removing surface dust and direct observations.

  4. Sample Acquisition/Analysis:

     • Drilling, processing, and analyzing samples for geological properties.

• Each activity class requires multiple sols and results reviewed on Earth before advancing.

Page 7: Rover Instruments

• Curiosity Rover's Key Instruments include:

  • MastCam: Imaging and atmospheric observations.

  • ChemCam: Remote elemental analysis and micro-imaging.

  • MAHLI: Microscopic imaging of rocks.

  • APXS: Chemical analysis.

  • SAM: Analyzes organics and isotopic compositions.

  • CheMin: Studies mineralogy.

  • REMS - Meteorological studies.

  • RAD: Monitors high-energy radiation.

  • DAN: Helps identify subsurface hydrogen.

Page 8: Gale Crater Landing Site

• Located at 5°S, 137.5°E, on the highlands/lowlands boundary of Mars.

• Measures approximately 150 km diameter, named after astronomer Walter Gale.

Page 9: Mars Research Objectives

• Investigate biological potential, geological characteristics, the role of water, and atmospheric evolution.

• Key objectives: characterizing surface radiation and assessing environmental conditions for past life.

Page 10: Perseverance Rover - Mars 2020 Mission

• NASA invested approximately $2.4 billion for the mission.

• Forecast operational costs for the prime mission stand at about $300 million.

Page 11: Jezero Crater

• Found in the Syrtis Major quadrangle on Mars, 45.0 km diameter.

• Initial geological features indicating past water presence: fan-delta deposits, channels, and possible ancient lake environment.

Page 12: Mars 2020 Mission Objectives

• Geologic History:

  • Integrated measurements to characterize local geology.

• In Situ Astrobiology:

  • Identify habitable environments and potential biosignatures.

• Sample Cache Preparation:

  • Prepare and document samples for future return to Earth.

Page 13: Sampling/Caching Concept

• Sample tubes are designed for potential return to Earth, aimed at preserving scientific integrity and planetary protection.

Page 14: Mars Helicopter "Ingenuity"

• Features:

  • Blades: Carbon fiber construction aiding lift.

  • Batteries: Supplies power.

  • Antennas: Communication equipment.

  • Legs: Lightweight structural design.

  • Sensors/Cameras: Collect navigational and observational data.

  • Solar Panel: Power source for the helicopter.

Page 15: Future Missions and Objectives

• OSIRIS-REx: Expected return of asteroid samples to Earth on September 24, 2023, after extensive mission logistics and sample collection.

• Psyche Mission: Launched October 13, 2023, aimed at studying metallic asteroid 16 Psyche.

• Europa Clipper Mission: Scheduled for launch in October 2024, targeting Europa's potential habitability.