Asymmetries in Mars' Exosphere

Observations and simulations show that Mars' atmosphere has large seasonal variations. Total atmospheric density can have an order of magnitude latitudinal variation at exobase heights. By numerical simulations we show that these latitude variations in exobase parameters induce asymmetries in the hydrogen exosphere that propagate to large distances from the planet. We show that these asymmetries in the exosphere produce asymmetries in the fluxes of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) and soft X-rays produced by charge exchange between the solar wind and exospheric hydrogen. This could be an explanation for asymmetries that have been observed in ENA and X-ray fluxes at Mars.     

High energy-density propulsion—reducing the risk to humans in planetary exploration

The potential benefits to humankind of space exploration are tremendous. Space is not only the final frontier but is also the next marketplace. The orbital space above Earth offers tremendous opportunities for both strategic assets and commercial development. The critical obstacle retarding the use of the space around the Earth is the lack of low cost access to orbit. Further out, the next giant leap for mankind will be the human exploration of Mars. Almost certainly within the next 30 years, a human crew will brave the isolation, the radiation, and the lack of gravity to walk on and explore the Red planet. Both of these missions will change the outlook and perspective of every human being on the planet. However, these missions are expensive and extremely difficult. Chemical propulsion has demonstrated an inability to achieve orbit cheaply and is a very high-risk option to accomplish the Mars mission. An alternative solution is to develop a high performance propulsion system. Nuclear propulsion has the potential to be such a system. The question will be whether humanity is willing to take on the challenge.     

Global Response of Martian Plasma Environment to an Interplanetary Structure: From Ena and Plasma Observations at Mars

As a part of the global plasma environment study of Mars and its response to the solar wind, we have analyzed a peculiar case of the subsolar energetic neutral atom (ENA) jet observed on June 7, 2004 by the Neutral Particle Detector (NPD) on board the Mars Express satellite. The “subsolar ENA jet” is generated by the interaction between the solar wind and the Martian exosphere, and is one of the most intense sources of ENA flux observed in the vicinity of Mars. On June 7, 2004 (orbit 485 of Mars Express), the NPD observed a very intense subsolar ENA jet, which then abruptly decreased within ∼10 sec followed by quasi-periodic (∼1 min) flux variations. Simultaneously, the plasma sensors detected a solar wind structure, which was most likely an interplanetary shock surface. The abrupt decrease of the ENA flux and the quasi-periodic flux variations can be understood in the framework of the global response of the Martian plasma obstacle to the interplanetary shock. The generation region of the subsolar ENA jet was pushed towards the planet by the interplanetary shock; and therefore, Mars Express went out of the ENA jet region. Associated global vibrations of the Martian plasma obstacle may have been the cause of the quasi-periodic flux variations of the ENA flux at the spacecraft location.     

论航天火星探测

回顾了 2 0世纪航天火星探测的历史和成就 ,论述了火星探测器飞行轨道的特点 ,展望了 2 1世纪初期航天火星探测的前景     

火星探测用降落伞研制试验简介

文章主要介绍了美国火星探测用降落伞研制过程以及在研制过程中的一些主要试验，并同时指出了试验中的一些特点。     

火星探测着陆系统开伞控制方法研究

文章通过对火星探测进入轨道的分析，提出了一种以动压为控制目标的开伞控制方法，并借鉴过载-时间控制法的相关思想，结合火星探测进入轨道的特点，研究了该开伞控制法的原理和实现方法。根据火星探路者的实际进入条件，采用该方法的分析结果与实际飞行中的开伞情况基本吻合。     

火星磁层顶形成和变化的理论研究

考虑太阳风动压与行星电离层中的带电粒子热压及磁压之和平衡，建立了有大气（电离层）的行星磁层顶形成的理论模型，结合卫星对火星的观测数据，对子午面内向日侧火星磁层顶位形进行了数值计算和分析，研究了火星磁层顶位形及其与太阳风动压之间的变化关系．结果认为，火星磁层顶位形与地球磁层顶相似．太阳风动压越大，火星磁层顶越靠近火星；太阳风动压越弱，火星磁层顶越远离火星．根据火星内秉磁矩从古到今逐渐减小的观点，探索了大尺度磁场（内禀磁矩）对火星磁层顶的贡献作用，结果认为大尺度磁场越强，火星磁层顶越远离行星．这对于进一步研究火星磁层的长期演化以及其他行星磁层的位形变化都具有重要的意义．     

火星表面热环境对航天器热控影响分析

火星大气对太阳辐射产生吸收和散射作用，同时还将与火星表面航天器发生对流换热。热设计时难以直接评估对流、辐射和导热三种换热对航天器的影响，从而确定主要的控温途径。在调研火星表面辐射、大气等热环境的基础上，从线性化传热系数和对流辐射比的角度对比分析了辐射、对流和导热对航天器的影响。器表辐射传热系数随光学属性和温度的变化范围为0.3～1.4W/(m2·℃)，对流传热系数随风速变化为0.2～1.5W/(m2·℃)，器内导热传热系数可控制在0.25W/(m2·℃)以下。结果表明，太阳辐射较火星表面和天空辐射而言是主要外热源，航天器表面的辐射和对流换热为两条并联换热途径，两者均可成为主要换热途径，器内导热传热是控制航天器内外隔热的主要可控因素。     

一种主动悬架式火星车稳定裕度优化控制策略

针对火星车在非结构化环境下行驶存在的稳定性不足而导致倾覆的风险，提出针对一种六轮主动悬架式火星车的稳定裕度优化控制方法。首先，考虑了火星车悬架机构调整过程中车轮与接触地面滑移和侧倾等运动关系，建立和完善了六轮主动悬架式火星车行驶的运动学模型。然后，以火星车夹角调整机构角度为变量，推导火星车在非结构环境下的稳定裕度模型。之后，使用内点法求解火星车稳定裕度的最优解，并获得期望的夹角调整机构关节角度。在此基础上，对夹角调整机构的关节角度进行规划和控制，实现火星车悬架机构构型的调整，从而提高火星车在非结构化环境下行驶的稳定裕度。最后，对火星车稳定裕度优化控制策略的有效性进行仿真验证，结果表明，所提出的控制方法可有效提高火星车在非结构化环境下行驶的稳定裕度。