Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Calle, Carlos I.

Publications and source records attributed to Calle, Carlos I..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2020

Corrosion Resistance of Materials in the Mars Environment

This paper presents the results of a literature search of available data relevant to corrosion resistance of materials in the Mars environment, as a background for future experimental work. Corrosion resistance is one of the most important properties in selecting materials for landed spacecraft and structures that will support surface operations for the human exploration of Mars. Currently, the selection of materials is done by assuming that the corrosion behavior of a material on Mars will be the same as that on Earth. This is understandable since there is no data available on the corrosion resistance of materials in the Mars environment. However, given that corrosion is defined as the degradation of a metal that results from its chemical interaction with the environment, it cannot be assumed that corrosion is going to be the same in both environments, since they are significantly different. This theoretical study was motivated by the suggestion, by a team of researchers, that some of the structural degradation observed on Curiosity's wheels may have been caused by corrosive interactions with the transient liquid brines, reported to be present on Mars, while the most significant damage was attributed to mechanical damage. An extensive literature search, on data relevant to corrosion on Mars, confirmed the need to investigate the interaction between materials, used for spacecraft and structures designed to support long-term surface operations on Mars, and the Mars environment. Experimental studies are needed to investigate the corrosion behavior of materials in relevant components of the Mars environment such as: the Mars atmosphere, the presence of brines, the interaction between these brines and materials, the effect of radiation on these interactions, and the possible catalytic effects of the clays present in the Martian regolith. The findings from this theoretical study provide strong justification to conduct experimental work to investigate the interaction between spacecraft materials with simulated Martian environments to reduce Mars exploration costs.

Calle, Luz M.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Numerical Model of the Mars Electrostatic Precipitator

NASA's future human exploration missions will require chemical processing plants to convert local resources into consumables to support astronaut activities. The thin and mostly carbon dioxide atmosphere of Mars is estimated to have 1 - 10 particles/cu.cm with diameters of 1 - 10 m and up to 1000 particles/cu.cm during storms. The dust in the Martian atmosphere can foul chemical reactors and pose a risk to life support systems. Electrostatic precipitation (ESP) removes dust particles from the Martian atmosphere. The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center has developed a COMSOL Multiphysics(Registered Trademark) model of an ESP for dust filtration on Mars. The fundamental principles of an ESP can be simulated by four physics modules: plasma, AC/DC electromagnetics, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and particle tracing. In the ESP model presented here, the plasma module was solved to estimate particle charge. The AC/DC and CFD module were solved for the electrostatic force and fluid force. The particle-tracing module was solved for particle collection efficiency.

Wang, Jerry J.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Design of a Second Generation Electrostatic Precipitator for Martian Atmospheric Dust Mitigation of ISRU Intakes

A second generation electrostatic precipitator for use in the Martian environment has been developed by the Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory (ESPL) at NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). This new system was designed to be modular and has three interchangeable test sections, each with a variety of replaceable high voltage electrodes, enabling optimization of the dust collection efficiency of the precipitator. It has the ability to maintain an increased atmospheric flow rate and provide more accurate dust delivery into the test section than was available in the previous prototypes. A majority of the controls for the system are provided by a software package developed to maintain a constant flow rate, low pressure, and electrode current to enable long duration performance characterization. This allows for testing of the technology in a relevant environment similar to those expected to be found in an atmospheric In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) plant on Mars.

Precipitator↗
NASA NTRS2018

Electrical Characteristics of the Mars Electrostatic Precipitator

NASA's next generation Mars missions will include chemical processing plants to convert the Martian atmosphere into consumable products needed to support astronaut activities. The thin, mostly carbon dioxide atmosphere of Mars is estimated to have 5-10 particles/cu. cm which have a radius of 1.6-2.27 microns on average. These dust particles could potentially foul the chemical process or reduce the purity of the products. Electrostatic precipitation is one possible solution to remove dust particles from the ingested Mars atmosphere. The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center has developed an electrostatic precipitator testbed to understand the intricacies of corona discharges in dusty flows simulating Mars atmospheric conditions. Current-voltage trends have been established for a number of precipitator flow conditions. Corona onset voltage and streamer onset voltage trends versus pressure are also established.

Johansen, Michael R.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Electrical Characteristics of the Mars Electrostatic Precipitator

NASA's next generation Mars missions will include chemical processing plants to convert the Martian atmosphere into consumable products needed to support astronaut activities. The thin, mostly carbon dioxide atmosphere of Mars is estimated to have 5-10 particles/cu. cm which have a radius of 1.6-2.27 microns on average. These dust particles could potentially foul the chemical process or reduce the purity of the products. Electrostatic precipitation is one possible solution to remove dust particles from the ingested Mars atmosphere. The Electro-statics and Surface Physics Laboratory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center has developed an electrostatic precipitator testbed to understand the intricacies of corona discharges in dusty flows simulating Mars atmospheric conditions. Current-voltage trends have been estab-lished for a number of precipitator flow conditions. Corona onset voltage and streamer onset voltage trends versus pressure are also established.

Johansen, Michael R.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Electrostatic Precipitation for Cleaning Mars Atmospheric ISRU Intakes

Future Mars ISRU atmospheric intakes are estimated to ingest several hundred grams of dust over their lifetime. The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center is developing a dust removal system based on a mature terrestrial technology - electrostatic precipitation. In this technology, a high voltage and grounded collection electrode create a corona discharge which charges particles in a dust-laden flow. The resulting electric field between the high voltage and collection electrodes drive the charged particles toward the collection electrode. This paper presents the design of the electrostatic precipitator and preliminary results.

Precipitator↗
NASA NTRS2017

Corrosion on Mars: An Investigation of Corrosion Mechanisms Under Relevant Simulated Martian Environments

This one-year project was selected by NASA's Science Innovation Fund in FY17 to address Corrosion on Mars which is a problem that has not been addressed before. Corrosion resistance is one of the most important properties in selecting materials for landed spacecraft and structures that will support surface operations for the human exploration of Mars. Currently, the selection of materials is done by assuming that the corrosion behavior of a material on Mars will be the same as that on Earth. This is understandable given that there is no data regarding the corrosion resistance of materials in the Mars environment. However, given that corrosion is defined as the degradation of a metal that results from its chemical interaction with the environment, it cannot be assumed that corrosion is going to be the same in both environments since they are significantly different. The goal of this research is to develop a systematic approach to understand corrosion of spacecraft materials on Mars by conducting a literature search of available data, relevant to corrosion in the Mars environment, and by performing preliminary laboratory experiments under relevant simulated Martian conditions. This project was motivated by the newly found evidence for the presence of transient liquid brines on Mars that coincided with the suggestion, by a team of researchers, that some of the structural degradation observed on Curiosity's wheels may be caused by corrosive interactions with the brines, while the most significant damage was attributed to rock scratching. An extensive literature search on data relevant to Mars corrosion confirmed the need for further investigation of the interaction between materials used for spacecraft and structures designed to support long-term surface operations on Mars. Simple preliminary experiments, designed to look at the interaction between an aerospace aluminum alloy (AA7075-T73) and the gases present in the Mars atmosphere, at 20degC and a pressure of 700 Pa, showed that there is an interaction between the small amount of oxygen present in the Mars gas and the alloy when there is a scratch that removes the protective aluminum oxide film. Further studies are needed to consider many other important components of the Mars environment that can affect this interaction such as: the effect of oxidants, the effect of radiation on their oxidizing properties and the possible catalytic effects of the clays present in the Martian regolith. The results of this one-year project provide strong justification for further investigation of the corrosion mechanism of materials relevant to long-term surface operations in support of future human exploration missions on Mars.

Perchlorates↗
NASA NTRS2017

Comprehensive Modeling of Superficial Dust Removal via Electrostatic and Dielectrophoretic Forces in Extraterres-trial Exploration Mission

The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory (ESPL) at NASA Kennedy Space Center has developed a dust mitigation technology that uses electrostatic and dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces to disperse and remove the dust already deposited on surfaces preventing the accumulation of dust particles approaching or already deposited on those surfaces.

Dominguez, Jesus A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Electrostatic Environments of the Moon and Mars: Implications for Human Missions

Lacking a substantial atmosphere, the moon is exposed to the full spectrum of solar radiation as well as to cosmic rays. Electrostatically, the moon is a charged body in a plasma. A Debye sheet meters high on the dayside of the moon and kilometers high on the night side envelops the moon. This sheet isolates the lunar surface from high energy particles coming from the sun. The electrostatic environment on Mars is controlled by its ever present atmospheric dust. Dust devils and dust storms tribocharge this dust. Theoretical studies predict that lightning and/or glow discharges should be present on Mars, but none have been directly observed. Experiments are planned to shed light on this issue.

Lunar environment↗
NASA NTRS2016

Graphene-Based Systems for Energy Storage

Development of graphene-based energy storage devices based on the Laser Scribe system developed by the University of California Los Angeles. These devices These graphene-based devices store charge on graphene sheets and take advantage of the large accessible surface area of graphene (2,600 m2g) to increase the electrical energy that can be stored. The proposed devices should have the electrical storage capacity of thin-film-ion batteries but with much shorter charge discharge cycle times as well as longer lives The proposed devices will be carbon-based and so will not have the same issues with flammability or toxicity as the standard lithium-based storage cells.

carbon-based↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Electrostatic Environments of Mars: Atmospheric Discharges

The electrostatic environment on Mars is controlled by its ever present atmospheric dust. Dust devils and dust storms tribocharge this dust. Theoretical studies predict that lightning and/or glow discharges should be present on Mars, but none have been directly observed. Experiments are planned to shed light on this issue.

Lunar environment↗
NASA NTRS2016

Electrodynamic Dust Shield for Space Applications

The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) has chosen dust mitigation technology as a Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) critical technology need in order to reduce life cycle cost and risk, and increase the probability of mission success. NASA has also included Particulate Contamination Prevention and Mitigation as a cross-cutting technology to be developed for contamination prevention, cleaning and protection. This technology has been highlighted due to the detrimental effect of dust on both human and robotic missions. During manned Apollo missions, dust caused issues with both equipment and crew. Contamination of equipment caused many issues including incorrect instrument readings and increased temperatures due to masking of thermal radiators. The astronauts were directly affected by dust that covered space suits, obscured face shields and later propagated to the cabin and into the crew's eyes and lungs. Robotic missions on Mars were affected when solar panels were obscured by dust thereby reducing the effectiveness of the solar panels. The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab in Swamp Works at the Kennedy Space Center has been developing an Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) to remove dust from multiple surfaces, including glass shields and thermal radiators. This technology has been tested in lab environments and has evolved over several years. Tests of the technology include reduced gravity flights (6g) in which Apollo Lunar dust samples were successfully removed from glass shields while under vacuum (1 millipascal). Further development of the technology is underway to reduce the size of the EDS as well as to perform material and component testing outside of the International Space Station (ISS) on the Materials on International Space Station Experiment X (MISSE-X). This experiment is designed to verify that the EDS can withstand the harsh environment of space and will look to closely replicate the solar environment experienced on the moon. A second flight opportunity exists to provide an EDS to several companies as part of NASA's Lunar CATALYST program. The current mission concept would fly the EDS on the footpad of one of the Lunar CATALYST vehicles. To determine the effectiveness of the EDS system, image analysis will be performed on the footpad before, during and after EDS activation. If successful in these test flights, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the EDS will be raised to a sufficient level to be used in the protection of mission equipment for future NASA and commercial missions to the moon, asteroids, and Mars.

Dust mitigation↗
NASA NTRS2016

Martian Atmospheric Dust Mitigation for ISRU Intakes via Electrostatic Precipitation

The Mars 2020 and Mars Sample Return missions expected to fly to Mars within the next ten years will each include an In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) system. They convert carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere into consumable oxygen at 1% and 20% of the rate required by a full scale human exploration Mars mission, respectively. The ISRU systems will need to draw in the surrounding atmosphere at a rate of 110L/min and 550L/min, respectively, in order to meet their oxygen production goals. Over the duration of each respective mission, a total atmospheric dust mass of 4.86g and 243g will be drawn into each system, respectively. Ingestion of large quantities of dust may interfere with ISRU operations, so a dust mitigation device will be required. The atmospheric volume and dust mass flow rates above will be utilized to simulate Martian environmental conditions in a laboratory electrostatic precipitator being developed to provide active dust mitigation support for atmospheric ISRU systems such as these.

In-situ resource utilization↗
NASA NTRS2016

Electrodynamic Dust Shield for Space Applications

Dust mitigation technology has been highlighted by NASA and the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) as a Global Exploration Roadmap (GER) critical technology need in order to reduce life cycle cost and risk, and increase the probability of mission success. The Electrostatics and Surface Physics Lab in Swamp Works at the Kennedy Space Center has developed an Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) to remove dust from multiple surfaces, including glass shields and thermal radiators. Further development is underway to improve the operation and reliability of the EDS as well as to perform material and component testing outside of the International Space Station (ISS) on the Materials on International Space Station Experiment (MISSE). This experiment is designed to verify that the EDS can withstand the harsh environment of space and will look to closely replicate the solar environment experienced on the Moon.

Dust mitigation↗
NASA NTRS2015

History and Flight Devleopment of the Electrodynamic Dust Shield

The surfaces of the moon, Mars, and that of some asteroids are covered with a layer of dust that may hinder robotic and human exploration missions. During the Apollo missions, for example, lunar dust caused a number of issues including vision obscuration, false instrument readings, contamination, and elevated temperatures. In fact, some equipment neared failure after only 75 hours on the lunar surface due to effects of lunar dust. NASA's Kennedy Space Center has developed an active technology to remove dust from surfaces during exploration missions. The Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS), which consists of a series of embedded electrodes in a high dielectric strength substrate, uses a low power, low frequency signal that produces an electric field wave that travels across the surface. This non-uniform electric field generates dielectrophoretic and electrostatic forces capable of moving dust out of these surfaces. Implementations of the EDS have been developed for solar radiators, optical systems, camera lenses, visors, windows, thermal radiators, and fabrics The EDS implementation for transparent applications (solar panels, optical systems, windows, etc.) uses transparent indium tin oxide electrodes on glass or transparent lm. Extensive testing was performed in a roughly simulated lunar environment (one-sixth gravity at 1 mPa atmospheric pressure) with lunar simulant dust. EDS panels over solar radiators showed dust removal that restored solar panel output reaching values very close to their initial output. EDS implementations for thermal radiator protection (metallic spacecraft surfaces with white thermal paint and reflective films) were also extensively tested at similar high vacuum conditions. Reflectance spectra for these types of implementations showed dust removal efficiencies in the 96% to 99% range. These tests indicate that the EDS technology is now at a Technology Readiness Level of 4 to 5. As part of EDS development, a flight version is being prepared for several flight opportunities. The flight version of the EDS will incorporate significantly smaller electronics, with an expected mass and volume of 500 g and 350 cm(exp. 3) respectively. One of the opportunities is an International Space Station (ISS) experiment: Materials for International Space Station Experiment 10 (MISSE-10). This experiment aims to verify the EDS can withstand the harsh environment of space and will look to closely replicate the solar environment experienced on the moon. A second flight opportunity exists to provide an EDS to several companies as part of NASA's Lunar CATALYST program. The current mission concept would fly the EDS on the footpad of one of the Lunar CATALYST vehicles. Dust will likely deposit on the footpad through normal surface rover activities, but also upon landing where lunar dust is expected to be uplifted. To analyze the e effectiveness of the EDS system, photographs of the footpad with one of the spacecrafts onboard cameras are anticipated. If successful in these test flights, the EDS technology will be ready to be used in the protection of actual mission equipment for future NASA and commercial missions to the moon, asteroids, and Mars.

Lunar↗