Applied superconductivity and superfluidity for the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

We discuss how superconductivity and superfluidity can be applied to solve the challenges in the exploration of the Moon and Mars. High sensitivity instruments using phenomena of superconductivity and superfluidity can potentially make significant contributions to the fields of navigation, automation, habitation, and resource location. Using the quantum nature of superconductivity, lightweight and very sensitive diagnostic tools can be made to monitor the health of astronauts. Moreover, the Moon and Mars offer a unique environment for scientific exploration. We also discuss how powerful superconducting instruments may enable scientists to seek answers to several profound questions about nature. These answers will not only deepen our appreciation of the universe, they may also open the door to paradigm-shifting technologies.     

Plasma Experiment for Planetary Exploration (PEPE)

The Plasma Experiment for Planetary Exploration (PEPE) flown on Deep Space 1 combines an ion mass spectrometer and an electron spectrometer in a single, low-resource instrument. Among its novel features PEPE incorporates an electrostatically swept field-of-view and a linear electric field time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A significant amount of effort went into developing six novel technologies that helped reduce instrument mass to 5.5 kg and average power to 9.6 W. PEPE’s performance was demonstrated successfully by extensive measurements made in the solar wind and during the DS1 encounter with Comet 19P/Borrelly in September 2001. P. Barker is deceased.     

Beam Shape Loss and Surveillance Optimization for Pencil Beam Arrays

A radar in its surveillance mode requires the programming of the radar beam in fixed angular increments throughout the surveillance volume. Though radar coverage of the volume is complete, returns from possible targets differing only in angular position generally have unequal signal strengths. This is due to both beam shape and multiple beam coverage. The resulting nonuniformity in signal strength results in a loss factor termed beam shape loss (BSL). This correspondence contains the results of a valid computational procedure for determining this loss factor for the case of an electronically steerable array in a search mode. Results consist of curves showing BSL for a wide range of system parameters and for various target types. In addition, it is shown how optimum search beam locations can be determined from the BSL computations.     

Investigation of the low-energy component of primary cosmic radiation on the outside of spacecrafts.

We have developed a method to investigate the low-energy radiation environment on the outside of spacecrafts. Thereby, ultra-thin thermoluminescent (TL) detectors on the base of CaF2:Mn-PTFE are arranged in stacks and exposed to the unshielded cosmic radiation. The dose distribution within a stack is determined by successive evaluation of the thin TL sheets. The analysis of LiF thermoluminescent detector glow curves permits conclusions on the dose contribution caused by either low-energy electrons or by protons. The method was applied aboard Russian COSMOS spacecrafts as well as the MIR station. It was shown that along low-earth orbits dose rates up to 10 Gy/day within the first few mg/cm2 are typical, mainly as a result of the electron impact.     

Surface and downhole prospecting tools for planetary exploration: tests of neutron and gamma ray probes

The ability to locate and characterize icy deposits and other hydrogenous materials on the Moon and Mars will help us understand the distribution of water and, therefore, possible habitats at Mars, and may help us locate primitive prebiotic compounds at the Moon's poles. We have developed a rover-borne neutron probe that localizes a near-surface icy deposit and provides information about its burial depth and abundance. We have also developed a borehole neutron probe to determine the stratigraphy of hydrogenous subsurface layers while operating within a drill string segment. In our field tests, we have used a neutron source to "illuminate" surrounding materials and gauge the instruments' efficacy, and we can simulate accurately the observed instrument responses using a Monte Carlo nuclear transport code (MCNPX). An active neutron source would not be needed for lunar or martian near-surface exploration: cosmic-ray interactions provide sufficient neutron flux to depths of several meters and yield better depth and abundance sensitivity than an active source. However, for deep drilling (>or=10 m depth), a source is required. We also present initial tests of a borehole gamma ray lithodensity tool and demonstrate its utility in determining soil or rock densities and composition.     

A facility for precise temperature control applications in microgravity

The isothermal dendritic growth apparatus (IDGA) is currently being designed by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in cooperation with the NASA Lewis Research Center. We describe some of the generic features of this apparatus system including precise temperature control, accurate temperature measurement, modular photographic system, and telescience capability. We briefly mention other types of microgravity experiments which could make use of the IDGA facility with only minor modifications to the present design. The IDGA is currently being manifested on the Material Science Laboratory carrier and the United States Materials Laboratory I, as well as being considered for inclusion on the future Space Station. The IDGA can provide a carefully controlled long-duration microgravity environment as provided by the Shuttle orbiter and, ultimately, the Space Station. The intent of this paper is to acquaint researchers with the nature of this facility.