Abstract
The Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group has identified measurements of the state and the variability of the Martian atmosphere as high priority investigations for the upcoming years. Balloon-borne instruments could bridge the gap in both temporal and spatial resolution in mesoscale distances between local, stationary landers and global orbiter observations. The idea to use a balloon system for such a purpose is not new in essence and has been proposed already in past decades. While those concepts considered an aerial deployment during entry and descent, the concept outlined in this study revisits a launch off the payload deck of a lander from the Martian surface. This deployment option profits today mainly from the technological advance in micro-electronics and sensor miniaturization, which enables the design of a balloon-probe significantly smaller than earlier proposed systems. This paper presents the feasibility assessment for this instrument and gives further details on the scientific and operational concept, a strawman sensor suite, its system components and the associated size and budget estimates. It is complemented by the analysis scheme proposed to assess, manage and mitigate the deployment risk involved in automatically launching such a balloon-system off a planetary surface.
Highlights
The planetary boundary layer is the connecting layer between a planet’s surface and its atmosphere
In [2], it was shown with simulation studies that topographic peaks enforce thermal convection with anabatic flows during the daytime, causing plumes to rise beyond the surrounding boundary layer
Examples are the Mars Weather Research and Forecasting model (MarsWRF, [4]) and the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS, [5]) which have been used for Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover landing [6], and Perseverance rover surface and science operation planning [7], as one of the most recent applications
Summary
Lars Witte 1,* , Gabriele Arnold 2, Jan Bertram 1 , Matthias Grott 2, Caroline Krämer 1, Andreas Lorek 2 and Torben Wippermann 1. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
