Abstract
AbstractIn this paper we use the Mars implementation of the Planet Weather Research and Forecasting model, MarsWRF, to simulate the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) vertical profiles from six past missions: Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rovers Opportunity and Spirit, Phoenix, Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, and ExoMars 2016 (Schiaparelli), and compare the results with observed data. In order to investigate the sensitivity of the model predictions to the atmospheric dust distribution, MarsWRF is run with two prescribed dust scenarios. It is concluded that the MarsWRF EDL predictions can be used for guidance into the design and planning stage of future missions to the planet, as it generally captures the observed EDL profiles, although it has a tendency to underestimate the temperature and overestimate the density for heights above 15 km. This could be attributed to an incorrect representation of the observed dust loading. We have used the model to predict the EDL conditions that may be encountered by two future missions: ExoMars 2020 and Mars 2020. When run for Oxia Planum and Jezero Crater for the expected landing time, MarsWRF predicts a large sensitivity to the dust loading in particular for the horizontal wind speed above 10‐15 km with maximum differences of up to ±30 m/s for the former and ±15 m/s for the latter site. For both sites, the best time for EDL, that is, when the wind speed is generally the weakest with smaller shifts in direction, is predicted to be in the late morning and early afternoon.
Highlights
In order to deliver a lander or rover to the surface of a planet with the aim of better understanding the in situ atmospheric dynamics and surface geology, every mission has to go through the critical Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) stage that directly determines the success of the mission (Braun & Manning, 2007; Raiszadeh & Queen, 2004; Steinfeldt et al, 2010; Li & Jiang, 2014)
In addition to electronic/software issues, schedule constraints and human errors (e.g., Bitten et al, 2006; Sauser et al, 2009), an EDL on Mars is known to be rather challenging due to the lower density, unpredictable winds, atmospheric dust loading, and rough terrain (e.g., Braun & Manning, 2007)
An accurate simulation of the EDL profiles, in particular of that of the density and horizontal wind, is of the upmost importance both (i) to prevent future failures, such as the recent crash‐landing of the Schiaparelli Entry Demonstrator Module (EDM) in October 2016, and (ii) for the design of new EDL technologies that will pave the way for the future sustained exploration of Mars
Summary
In order to deliver a lander or rover to the surface of a planet with the aim of better understanding the in situ atmospheric dynamics and surface geology, every mission has to go through the critical Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) stage that directly determines the success of the mission (Braun & Manning, 2007; Raiszadeh & Queen, 2004; Steinfeldt et al, 2010; Li & Jiang, 2014). The distance between the actual landing site and the center of the landing ellipse has to progressively be reduced: for example, Spirit and Opportunity, who landed during the dust storm seasons, overshot the center of their landing ellipses by about 10.1 and 24.6 km, respectively, whereas with more favorable atmospheric conditions, MSL overshot the center of its landing ellipse by about 2.4 km (Cantor et al, 2019) This further motivates a dedicated study of the different atmospheric profiles at landing sites on Mars to facilitate the future engineering predesign phase of these missions, which in most cases may be led by space agencies (national or international) and eventually by private companies (such as, e.g., SpaceX) or joint private/public missions.
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