Geology and Physical Properties Investigations by the InSight Lander

Although not the prime focus of the InSight mission, the near-surface geology and physical properties investigations provide critical information for both placing the instruments (seismometer and heat flow probe with mole) on the surface and for understanding the nature of the shallow subsurface and its effect on recorded seismic waves. Two color cameras on the lander will obtain multiple stereo images of the surface and its interaction with the spacecraft. Images will be used to identify the geologic materials and features present, quantify their areal coverage, help determine the basic geologic evolution of the area, and provide ground truth for orbital remote sensing data. A radiometer will measure the hourly temperature of the surface in two spots, which will determine the thermal inertia of the surface materials present and their particle size and/or cohesion. Continuous measurements of wind speed and direction offer a unique opportunity to correlate dust devils and high winds with eolian changes imaged at the surface and to determine the threshold friction wind stress for grain motion on Mars. During the first two weeks after landing, these investigations will support the selection of instrument placement locations that are relatively smooth, flat, free of small rocks and load bearing. Soil mechanics parameters and elastic properties of near surface materials will be determined from mole penetration and thermal conductivity measurements from the surface to 3–5 m depth, the measurement of seismic waves during mole hammering, passive monitoring of seismic waves, and experiments with the arm and scoop of the lander (indentations, scraping and trenching). These investigations will determine and test the presence and mechanical properties of the expected 3–17 m thick fragmented regolith (and underlying fractured material) built up by impact and eolian processes on top of Hesperian lava flows and determine its seismic properties for the seismic investigation of Mars’ interior.     

Design and optimization of solid rocket motor Finocyl grain using simulated annealing

The research effort outlined the application of a computer aided design(CAD)-centric technique to the design and optimization of solid rocket motor Finocyl(fin in cylinder) grain using simulated annealing.The proper method for constructing the grain configuration model,ballistic performance and optimizer integration for analysis was presented.Finocyl is a complex grain configuration,requiring thirteen variables to define the geometry.The large number of variables not only complicates the geometrical construction but also optimization process.CAD representation encapsulates all of the geometric entities pertinent to the grain design in a parametric way,allowing manipulation of grain entity(web),performing regression and automating geometrical data calculations.Robustness to avoid local minima and efficient capacity to explore design space makes simulated annealing an attractive choice as optimizer.It is demonstrated with a constrained optimization of Finocyl grain geometry for homogeneous,isotropic propellant,uniform regression,and a quasi-steady,bulk mode internal ballistics model that maximizes average thrust for required deviations from neutrality.     

低温推进剂在轨贮存与管理技术研究

低温推进剂由于其比冲高、无毒无污染,是载人和深空探测的首选推进剂。为解决空间恶劣的热环境和微重力环境下推进剂大量蒸发损耗及推进剂的气液两相混合等问题,以低温推进剂的在轨贮存与管理技术为研究对象,给出低温推进剂绝热的贮存方案和微重力气液分离的管理方案。并对其中的适用中短期任务的方案进行日蒸发率等指标核算,然后对方案中的热力学参数变化对系统方案中的蒸发量控制等影响进行讨论。最终给出针对载人登月等短期项目的低温推进剂在轨贮存与管理的推荐方案。     

Oxidation Properties in CO2 of Inconel Alloy 600 Coated by Simultaneous Aluminizing-Chromizing Process

IN 600 alloy was coated with two different types of coatings, Cr-modified aluminide coating this is called aluminizing-chromizing and Y-doped chromium modified aluminide coating this is called aluminizing-chromizing-yttriumizing. Diffusion coating was carried at 1 050 ℃ for 8 h under Ar atmosphere by simultaneous aluminizing-chromizing process and by simultaneous aluminizing-chromizing- yttriumizing. Cyclic oxidation tests were conducted on the uncoated and on the coated Inconel 600 alloy in the temperature range 800- 1 000 ℃ in CO2 for 100 h at 10 h cycle.The results showed that the oxidation kinetics for uncoated Inconel 600 alloy in CO2 is parabolic and the phases present are NiO, (Fe, Cr)2O3 , NiFe2O4 and NiCrO4. The oxidation kinetics for both coated systems in CO2 was found to be parabolic and the value of kP for both coated systems were found to be lower than that for uncoated Inconel 600 alloy. Oxide phases that formed on coated systems are Al2O3 and NiCrO4. The role of yttrium can be attributed to its ability to improve the adherence of the oxide scale.