Search for organic molecules at the Mars surface: The “Martian Organic Material Irradiation and Evolution” (MOMIE) project

The life on Mars remains an open question because of the lack of proof of its past emergence and its current presence. The only indices of a potential Martian life were provided by the Viking Landers, and the study of the Martian meteorite ALH84001 discovered in the Antarctic. In the two case, the results of experiments could be explained either by the presence of life forms or by abiotic processes. The recent data of Mars Express orbiter and Mars Exploration Rovers show different proofs of a past environment favourable for life. Among the targets we seek, the organic molecules are primordial because they are necessary to the origin of life. A key question is to know if they are present, in which concentration and under which form. Within the framework of a search for organic, we are developing an experimental setup simulating as close as possible the environmental conditions of Mars surface in order to determine how organic species evolve. We present here the first step of the development of this experiment which focuses on the study of the impact of the solar UV radiations reaching the Mars surface on glycine. First results show that glycine does not resist if directly exposed to UV radiations.     

Thermospheric X-Ray and Euv Heating by the Young Sun on Early Venus and Mars

In view of the low H₂O abundance in the present Venusian and Martian atmospheres several observations by spacecraft and studies suggest that both planets should have lost most of their water over the early active period of the young Sun. During the first Gyr after the Sun arrived at the Zero- Age-Main-Sequence high X-ray and EUV fluxes between 10 and 100 times that of the present Sun were responsible for much higher temperatures in the thermosphere-exosphere environments on both planets. By applying a diffusive-gravitational equilibrium and thermal balance model for investigating radiation impact on the early thermospheres by photodissociation and ionization processes, due to exothermic chemical reactions and cooling by CO₂ IR emission in the 15μm band we found expanded thermospheres with exobase levels between about 200 km (present) and 2000 km (4.5 Gyr ago). The higher temperatures in the upper atmospheres of both planets could reach “blow-off” conditions for H atoms even at high CO₂ mixing ratios of 96%. Lower CO₂/N₂ mixing ratio or higher contents of H2O vapor in the early atmospheres could have had a dramatic impact from the loss of atmosphere and water on both planets. The duration of this phase of high thermal loss rates essentially depended on the mixing ratios of CO₂, N₂, and H₂O in the early atmospheres and could have lasted between about 150 and several hundred Myr.     

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.     

The MAGO experiment for dust environment monitoring on the Martian surface

Among the main directions identified for future Martian exploration, the study of the properties of dust dispersed in the atmosphere, its cycle and the impact on climate are considered of primary relevance. Dust storms, dust devils and the dust “cycle” have been identified and studied by past remote and in situ experiments, but little quantitative information is available on these processes, so far. The airborne dust contributes to the determination of the dynamic and thermodynamic evolution of the atmosphere, including the large-scale circulation processes and its impact on the climate of Mars. Moreover, aeolian erosion, redistribution of dust on the surface and weathering processes are mostly known only qualitatively. In order to improve our knowledge of the airborne dust evolution and other atmospheric processes, it is mandatory to measure the amount, mass-size distribution and dynamical properties of solid particles in the Martian atmosphere as a function of time. In this context, there is clearly a need for the implementation of experiments dedicated to study directly atmospheric dust. The Martian atmospheric grain observer (MAGO) experiment is aimed at providing direct quantitative measurements of mass and size distributions of dust particles, a goal that has never been fully achieved so far. The instrument design combines three types of sensors to monitor in situ the dust mass flux (micro balance system, MBS) and single grain properties (grain detection system, GDS + impact sensor, IS). Technical solutions and science capabilities are discussed in this paper.     

基于ASUKF的火星探测器脉冲星自主导航方法

脉冲星导航可靠、稳定、精度高, 是实现火星探测器自主导航的有效手段之一.针对脉冲星导航中脉冲到达时间的微小误差会引起巨大的位置估计误差这一问题,提出了一种基于扩维Unsented卡尔曼滤波(ASUKF,Augmented State Unscented Kalman Filter)的火星探测器脉冲星自主导航方法,建立了以位置、速度和脉冲到达时间的常值测量误差作为状态量的导航系统数学模型,可在对探测器位置、速度进行估计的同时有效估计并修正脉冲到达时间的常值测量误差,并降低随机测量误差的影响.仿真结果表明该方法的导航定位精度可达350m以内,可以满足火星探测自主导航的需要.     

Command generator tracker based direct model reference adaptive tracking guidance for Mars atmospheric entry

In order to accurately deliver an entry vehicle through the Martian atmosphere to the prescribed parachute deployment point, active Mars entry guidance is essential. This paper addresses the issue of Mars atmospheric entry guidance using the command generator tracker (CGT) based direct model reference adaptive control to reduce the adverse effect of the bounded uncertainties on atmospheric density and aerodynamic coefficients. Firstly, the nominal drag acceleration profile meeting a variety of constraints is planned off-line in the longitudinal plane as the reference model to track. Then, the CGT based direct model reference adaptive controller and the feed-forward compensator are designed to robustly track the aforementioned reference drag acceleration profile and to effectively reduce the downrange error. Afterwards, the heading alignment logic is adopted in the lateral plane to reduce the crossrange error. Finally, the validity of the guidance algorithm proposed in this paper is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulation analysis.     

火星探测无人机任务规划与建模分析

利用无人机进行火星探测, 具有探测范围广、可看到地形变化等优点. 介绍了火星探测无人机总体任务规划的情况, 讨论了探测无人机在火星与地球上飞行的区别, 建立了火星探测无人机纵向非线性模型, 并在平衡点对非线性模型进行泰勒展开, 得到线性化模型. 通过对线性模型的进一步分析, 掌握了火星探测无人机的稳态性能及飞行特点.      

精确动力学模型下的火星探测轨道设计

首先在二体意义下采用粒子群优化算法（PSO）求解Lambert问题,确定发射窗口和二体地火转移轨道。使用圆锥曲线拼接法设计地心停泊轨道、逃逸轨道,并作为轨道精确设计的初值,以建立在火星的B平面参数和地火转移时间为约束,在精确动力学模型下进行微分迭代修正,最终得到满足约束的精确轨道。将设计轨道在STK软件中仿真,结果吻合。     

Conversations on the Habitability of Worlds: The Importance of Volatiles

Our scientific forefathers discuss the interrelationships between water, climate, the atmosphere, and life on Earth and other terrestrial planets at a workshop in Nichtchatel, Switzerland.     

中国首次火星探测任务地面应用系统

中国首次火星探测任务(HX-1)计划2020年通过一次发射实现火星环绕和着陆巡视,对火星开展全球性、综合性的环绕探测,在火星表面开展区域巡视探测。地面应用系统是首次火星探测任务工程五大系统之一,主要负责科学探测计划制定,有效载荷运行管理,探测数据的接收、处理、解译和管理,组织开展科学数据的应用和研究等任务。在分析国外类似系统和火星探测地面应用系统的特点和难点基础上,从系统的主要任务和技术指标出发,介绍了系统总体布局、分系统主要功能、组成和设计。