MSL测控特点以及自主火星探测测控关键技术

火星科学实验室任务测控通信与导航技术代表了目前该领域的最新方向。在结合火星科学实验室任务特点并对其对测控通信系统设计性能、导航性能进行分析的基础上,以未来的自主火星探测以及火星采样返回任务为潜在工程应用目标,结合我国月球和深空探测测控系统的现状,梳理了我国未来自主火星探测中火星中继网络、火星探测器精密定轨,以及火星大气进入、下降和着陆过程中的信号检测与估计等关键技术。该研究对后续的自主火星探测测控通信系统的设计具有一定的参考价值,对推进我国深空探测测控系统的发展具有重要意义。     

火星无人机实验台发展综述及构想

火星地表崎岖、环境复杂,火星无人机由于其具有高机动性和灵活性,为火星探测提供了一种新的工作模式,是未来深空探测的重要范式。本文对比了火星与地球相关地表环境参数的差异,分析了火星无人机需要克服的困难和主要用途,阐明了火星无人机实验台的重要性;详细介绍了国内外研究机构研发火星无人机实验台的技术特点与功能优劣,总结了实验台需要具备的模拟火星环境和测量相关参数。在此基础上,提出了构建火星无人机实验台设想,给出了总体设计思想和思路,并对火星无人机气动力学实验平台的应用前景进行了展望。     

载人火星探测进展及其EDL过程GNC关键技术

随着火星探测技术的不断发展和探测任务的不断推进，载人火星探测在未来将会成为火星探测的重要手段。首先，回顾了无人火星探测任务的发展历程，对比分析了部分无人火星探测器进入、下降与着陆（EDL）过程的参数。然后，结合无人火星探测、载人月球探测和载人航天再入过程，梳理了载人火星探测的特点及需求，系统地总结了前苏联/俄罗斯和美国的载人火星探测研究进展以及技术储备。接着，归纳了载人火星探测的体系构成、集结方式和主要的技术挑战。最后，概括了载人火星EDL过程面临的难题，重点阐述了EDL的导航、制导与控制（GNC）关键技术。     

火星中继应答机技术现状及发展

火星中继已作为火星探测重要组成部分,被美国NASA(National Aeronautics and Space Administration,国家航空航天局)和ESA(European Space Agency,欧空局)广泛应用于火星EDL(Entry,Descent and Landing,进入、下降和着陆)以及火星表面探测中。针对该情况,介绍了火星中继系统的组成和工作情况。结合NASA和ESA火星探测的成功经验和成果,重点对火星轨道器和着陆器的中继应答机的性能进行了梳理和分析,并对该技术的后续发展进行了展望。基于此,可为我国自主火星探测提供借鉴和参考。     

上海天文台火星卫星定轨软件系统

具有自主知识产权的上海天文台火星卫星定轨软件MarsODP已经初步完成编写工作,该软件以应用于我国未来的火星探测计划为目标。本文介绍了火星定轨软件MarsODP的研制背景,对软件需求进行了分析,介绍了软件的结构设计,利用模拟数据对软件进行了测试,并给出了一些实测数据的处理结果。     

火星进入减速器技术综述与展望

随着火星着陆探测任务的不断推进,火星采样返回、载人登陆火星和火星基地等任务要求能将更大、更重的探测器着陆到火星表面,这就需要在火星大气进入阶段进行高效减速。基于以往成功的火星着陆探测任务,首先系统地回顾了火星进入段气动减速技术的发展历史;然后,结合火星进入过程的特点阐述了火星进入段减速设计的必要性及其面临的挑战;接着,系统地总结了充气式气动减速器、可展开式气动减速器和超声速反推减速器的系统构成和研究进展;最后,对这3种减速器技术的未来发展方向和亟待解决的关键问题进行了比较全面的分析和展望。     

美国载人登火星方案综述

综述美国载人登火星方案的主要体系结构,对各方案的轨道设计、推进方式、交会方式等问题进行了总结,详细介绍了有代表性的典型方案,对我国未来的载人登火星任务概念设计提供了有益参考。     

加拿大航天局计划探测火星

加拿大航天局近日宣布,将对加拿大研制火星探测器的可行性进行研究。探测器必须完全由加拿大研发,虽然加拿大没有运载火箭或发射台,但可以付费给其他国家发射自己的火星探测器。加拿大航天局表示,将授出为期6个月、价值25万美元的着陆或绕轨火星探测技术研发合同。加拿大航天局     

美国凤凰号探测器首次发现火星下雪

美国“凤凰号”火星探测器已经探测到来自火星云层的降雪,而且找到了火星上曾经存在液态水的最新证据。     

火星超压气球温度分布研究

 针对火星气球的温度特性开展研究,首先分析了火星大气的特殊热环境;归纳了影响火星气球温度特性的主要环境因素;设计了两种不同蒙皮辐射特性的原型超压气球;建立了计算火星气球稳态温度分布的模型,并做了合理的简化;选择了热、冷、任意时刻及特殊工况进行气球的蒙皮和内部气体温度计算.结果表明,通过改进蒙皮辐射特性的设计,可以满足火星气球在特定工况下飞行的温度要求.     

Locations of Atmospheric Photoelectron Energy Peaks Within the Mars Environment

By identifying peaks in the photoelectron spectrum produced by photoionization of CO₂ in the Martian atmosphere, we have conducted a pilot study to determine the locations of these photoelectrons in the space around Mars. The significant result of this study is that these photoelectrons populate a region around Mars bounded externally by the magnetic pileup boundary, and internally by the lowest altitude of our measurements (∼250 km) on the dayside and by a cylinder of approximately the planetary radius on the nightside. It is particularly noteworthy that the photoelectrons on the nightside are observed from the terminator plane tailward to a distance of ∼3 R _M, the Mars Express apoapsis. The presence of the atmospherically generated photoelectrons on the nightside of Mars may be explained by direct magnetic field line connection between the nightside observation locations and the Martian dayside ionosphere. Thus the characteristic photoelectron peaks may be used as tracers of magnetic field lines for the study of the magnetic field configuration and particle transport in the Martian environment.     

X-Rays From Mars

X-rays from Mars were first detected in July 2001 with the satellite Chandra. The main source of this radiation was fluorescent scattering of solar X-rays in its upper atmosphere. In addition, the presence of an extended X-ray halo was indicated, probably resulting from charge exchange interactions between highly charged heavy ions in the solar wind and neutrals in the Martian exosphere. The statistical significance of the X-ray halo, however, was very low. In November 2003, Mars was observed again in X-rays, this time with the satellite XMM-Newton. This observation, characterized by a considerably higher sensitivity, confirmed the presence of the X-ray halo and proved that charge exchange is indeed the origin of the emission. This was the first definite detection of charge exchange induced X-ray emission from the exosphere of another planet. Previously, this kind of emission had been detected from comets (which are largely exospheres) and from the terrestrial exosphere. Because charge exchange interactions between atmospheric constituents and solar wind ions are considered as an important nonthermal escape mechanism, probably responsible for a significant loss of the Martian atmosphere, X-ray observations may lead to a better understanding of the present state of the Martian atmosphere and its evolution. X-ray images of the Martian exosphere in specific emission lines exhibited a highly anisotropic morphology, varying with individual ions and ionization states. With its capability to trace the X-ray emission out to at least 8 Mars radii, XMM-Newton can explore exospheric regions far beyond those that have been observationally explored to date. Thus, X-ray observations provide a novel method for studying processes in the Martian exosphere on a global scale.     

Mars Global MHD Predictions of Magnetic Connectivity Between the Dayside Ionosphere and the Magnetospheric Flanks

Atmospheric photoelectrons have been observed well above the ionosphere of Mars by the ASPERA-3 ELS instrument on Mars Express. To systematically interpret these observations, field lines from two global MHD simulations were analyzed for connectivity to the dayside ionosphere (allowing photoelectron escape). It is found that there is a hollow cylinder behind the planet from 1–2 R _M away from the Mars-Sun line that has a high probability of containing magnetic field lines with connectivity to the dayside ionosphere. These results are in complete agreement with the ELS statistics. It is concluded that the high-altitude photoelectrons are the result of direct magnetic connectivity to the dayside at the moment of the measurement, and no extra trapping or bouncing mechanisms are needed to explain the data.     

Investigation of the Influence of Magnetic Anomalies on Ion Distributions at Mars

Using data from the Mars Express Ion Mass Analyzer (IMA) we investigate the distribution of ion beams of planetary origin and search for an influence from Mars crustal magnetic anomalies. We have concentrated on ion beams observed inside the induced magnetosphere boundary (magnetic pile-up boundary). Some north-south asymmetry is seen in the data, but no longitudinal structure resembling that of the crustal anomalies. Comparing the occurrence rate of ion beams with magnetic field strength at 400 km altitude below the spacecraft (using statistical Mars Global Surveyor results) shows a decrease of the occurrence rate for modest (< 40 nT) magnetic fields. Higher magnetic field regions (above 40 nT at 400 km) are sampled so seldom that the statistics are poor but the data is consistent with some ion outflow events being closely associated with the stronger anomalies. This ion flow does not significantly affect the overall distribution of ion beams around Mars.     

Mars Global Surveyor Measurements of the Martian Solar Wind Interaction

The solar wind at Mars interacts with the extended atmosphere and small-scale crustal magnetic fields. This interaction shares elements with a variety of solar system bodies, and has direct bearing on studies of the long-term evolution of the Martian atmosphere, the structure of the upper atmosphere, and fundamental plasma processes. The magnetometer (MAG) and electron reflectometer (ER) on Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) continue to make many contributions toward understanding the plasma environment, thanks in large part to a spacecraft orbit that had low periapsis, had good coverage of the interaction region, and has been long-lived in its mapping orbit. The crustal magnetic fields discovered using MGS data perturb plasma boundaries on timescales associated with Mars' rotation and enable a complex magnetic field topology near the planet. Every portion of the plasma environment has been sampled by MGS, confirming previous measurements and making new discoveries in each region. The entire system is highly variable, and responds to changes in solar EUV flux, upstream pressure, IMF direction, and the orientation of Mars with respect to the Sun and solar wind flow. New insights from MGS should come from future analysis of new and existing data, as well as multi-spacecraft observations.     

IMF Direction Derived from Cycloid-Like Ion Distributions Observed by Mars Express

Although the Mars Express (MEX) does not carry a magnetometer, it is in principle possible to derive the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation from the three dimensional velocity distribution of pick-up ions measured by the Ion Mass Analyser (IMA) on board MEX because pick-up ions' orbits, in velocity phase space, are expected to gyrate around the IMF when the IMF is relatively uniform on a scale larger than the proton gyroradius. During bow shock outbound crossings, MEX often observed cycloid distributions (two dimensional partial ring distributions in velocity phase space) of protons in a narrow channel of the IMA detector (only one azimuth for many polar angles). We show two such examples. Three different methods are used to derive the IMF orientation from the observed cycloid distributions. One method is intuitive (intuitive method), while the others derive the minimum variance direction of the velocity vectors for the observed ring ions. These velocity vectors are selected either manually (manual method) or automatically using simple filters (automatic method). While the intuitive method and the manual method provide similar IMF orientations by which the observed cycloid distribution is well arranged into a partial circle (representing gyration) and constant parallel velocity, the automatic method failed to arrange the data to the degree of the manual method, yielding about a 30° offset in the estimated IMF direction. The uncertainty of the derived IMF orientation is strongly affected by the instrument resolution. The source population for these ring distributions is most likely newly ionized hydrogen atoms, which are picked up by the solar wind.