The Solar Wind Interaction With the Martian Ionosphere/Atmosphere

The interaction of the solar wind with the Martian exosphere and ionosphere leads to significant loss of atmosphere from the planet. Spacecraft data confirm that this is the case. However, the issue is how much is actually lost. Given that spacecraft coverage is sparse, simulation is one of the few ways for these estimates to be made. In this paper the evolution of our attempts to place bounds on this loss rate will be addressed. Using a hybrid particle code the loss rate with respect to solar EUV flux is addressed as well as a variety of numerical and chemical issues. The progress made has been of an evolutionary nature, with one approach tried and tested followed by another as the simulations are improved and better estimates are produced. The results to be reported suggest that the ion loss rates are high enough to explain the loss of water from Mars during earlier solar epochs.     

The first new application of the Mathematical Theory of Stochastic Processes to lunar and planetary science: Topography-Profile Diagrams of Mars

The Mathematical Statistics Theory (MST) and the Mathematical Theory of Stochastic Processes (MTSP) are different branches of the more general Mathematical Probability Theory (MPT) that can be used to investigate physical processes through mathematics. Each model of a stochastic process, according to MTSP, can provide one or more interpretations in the MST domain. A large body of work on impact crater statistics according to MST exists, showing cumulative crater frequency (N km⁻²) as a function of age (years) for some particular crater diameter. However, this is only one possible representation in the MST domain of the bombardment of the planetary surface modeled as a stochastic process according to MTSP. The idea that other representations are possible in the MST domain of the same stochastic process from MTSP has been recently presented. The importance of the approach is that each such mathematical-based interpretation can provide a large amount of new information. Coupled with MOLA data, Topography-Profile Diagrams (TPD) are one of the many examples that can provide a large amount of new information regarding the history of Mars. TPD consists of: (1) Topography-Profile Curve (TPC), which is a representation of the planet’s topography, (2) Density-of-Craters Curve (DCC), which represents density of craters, (3) Filtered-DCC (FDCC), which represents DCC filtered by a low-pass filter, included with the purpose of reducing the noise, and (4) Level-of-Substance-Over-Time Curve (LSOTC), which represents interpretation of the influence on the distribution of craters shown by FDCC. TPC uniquely corresponds to the computation of TPD, whereas DCC depends on algorithms for computing the elevation of each crater according to the topography, center coordinates, and radius of impact crater, and FDCC relies on the architecture of the custom designed low-pass filter for filtering DCC. However, all variations of DCC and FDCC, which includes the various impact crater data sets, showed a correlation among the density of craters and elevation over 70–80% of the planet surface. Additionally, if we assume that the ocean primarily caused the noted correlation, LSOTC offers a mathematical approach for estimating topographic change of the ocean’s extent over time. Accordingly, TPD is the first new practical application of MTSP to lunar and planetary sciences, showing correlation of topography to a physical process.     

A machine learning approach to crater detection from topographic data

Craters are distinctive features on the surfaces of most terrestrial planets. Craters reveal the relative ages of surface units and provide information on surface geology. Extracting craters is one of the fundamental tasks in planetary research. Although many automated crater detection algorithms have been developed to exact craters from image or topographic data, most of them are applicable only in particular regions, and only a few can be widely used, especially in complex surface settings. In this study, we present a machine learning approach to crater detection from topographic data. This approach includes two steps: detecting square regions which contain one crater with the use of a boosting algorithm and delineating the rims of the crater in each square region by local terrain analysis and circular Hough transform. A new variant of Haar-like features (scaled Haar-like features) is proposed and combined with traditional Haar-like features and local binary pattern features to enhance the performance of the classifier. Experimental results with the use of Mars topographic data demonstrate that the developed approach can significantly decrease the false positive detection rate while maintaining a relatively high true positive detection rate even in challenging sites.     

火星大气环境模拟装置设计及仿真分析研究

对火星表面大气环境特性进行了研究,通过选取合适的计算方法并结合FLUENT流体有限元计算软件对火星表面稀薄气体内部环流进行了模拟仿真分析,提出了以动量源模拟风扇段内流的仿真方法,并进行了可行性讨论。进一步实现了针对圆柱形模拟装置多工况下的内部气体流场稳态和非稳态计算仿真,并对计算结果进行了分析讨论,为火星大气环境模拟装置的设计提供了技术支持和参考。     

Effect of mixing section configurations on combustion efflciency of Mg-CO2 Martian ramjet

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of the mixing section configurations on the Mg-CO₂ Martian ramjet combustion efficiency. It was carried out at a mainstream mass flow rate of 110 g/s and a temperature of 810 K. The chamber pressure was measured under different configurations and Oxidizer to Fuel(O/F) ratios. Results showed that the engine achieved self-sustaining combustion and worked stably during experiments. The pre-combustion chamber is needed to increase the co...     

基于等离子体磁壳的行星探测器制动机理研究

等离子体磁壳制动技术是一种新型的行星探测器制动手段，具有制动阻力可调、可靠性高、结构质量小等优势，具有潜在的应用前景。开展了等离子体磁壳制动产生方式与工作机理的数值仿真研究。首先，以火星探测器的制动为背景，将等离子体磁壳简化为圆柱构型，建立了等离子体磁壳宏观模型，得到了制动阻力、有效捕获面积和探测器速度随轨道高度的变化关系。随后以等离子体磁壳中离子、电子和次中性粒子之间的相互作用为研究对象，建立了等离子体磁壳微观模型，获得了等离子体粒子数密度和温度随时间变化的规律。微观模型与宏观模型计算出的制动阻力一致，验证了两种模型的有效性。     

Comparison study of ductile iron produced with Martian regolith harvested iron from ionic liquids and Bosch byproduct carbon for in-situ resource utilization versus commercially available 65-45-12 ductile iron

As researchers continue to study methods to facilitate long-term missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the ability to manufacture high-quality mechanical and structural components on the Lunar and Martian surfaces remains a crucial piece to the puzzle for a sustained presence. Due to the immense cost of sending supplies to extraterrestrial bodies, in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) methods are critical for the success and feasibility of these habitation missions. Ionic liquids (ILs) are currently being studied at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to harvest elemental metals from meteorites and regolith minerals. Additionally, the Bosch process is being explored as a life support system at MSFC for oxygen (O₂) regeneration, rendering a byproduct of elemental carbon (C). In this investigation, the viability of casting ductile iron (DI) using IL-sourced iron (IL-Fe) and Bosch C was studied given the range of applications and performance of DI as an as-cast alloy. Ingots were produced using commercial elements to simulate the use of IL-Fe with C sourced from the byproduct C of the Bosch process. Samples were cast and compared to commercially available 65–45-12 DI with phase transformation diagrams, microstructures, and hardness. Results showed that IL-sourced elements are a viable source of elemental alloying materials for a range of DI alloys, with some limitations.     

Martian Buildings: Design loading

Multiplanetary life has been studied by scientists as a way to supply energy or sustain human life in the future. Mars is likely to be man’s first destination, colonization using onsite structural construction would be one of the main options. The first step to designing a reliable building is to know the applied structural loads and to have an accurate design load combination. Due to lack of complete knowledge, short span of recorded data, Martian environment, and hazardous environment that Martian structures face, constructed Martian structures should behave appropriately under the highest likely live, dead and environmental loads either simultaneously or as a worst-case scenario. The present study evaluated and calculated probable Martian structural loads, including live, internal pressure, snow, gravity (dead), dust accumulation, thermal stress, wind, marsquake, asteroid, and meteoroid impact loads and their effects. Information was gathered from previous studies and valid data from Martian landers, rovers and orbiters. Wind loads were calculated based on the over 6.5 years of data recorded by Vikings 1 and 2, temperature and winds for InSight (TWINS) sensor. A wind shear exponent and wind profile have been proposed for a Martian flat terrain construction site. Marsquake lateral loads, frequency content and seismicity were assessed using data from the seismic experiment for interior structure (SEIS) and the Viking 2 seismometer. Considering the high influx of micrometeoroids, their penetration distance, impact loads and their effects on structures were calculated. The annual probability of an asteroid impact on a settlement was assessed for a 30-year mission. A load map for Martian residential buildings that considers the worst-case scenario in which a Martian structure should be designed based on them has been proposed.