Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Liebes, S., Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Liebes, S., Jr..

Viking Lander Atlas of Mars

Half size reproductions are presented of the extensive set of systematic map products generated for the two Mars Viking landing sites from stereo pairs of images radioed back to Earth. The maps span from the immediate foreground to the remote limits of ranging capability, several hundred meters from the spacecraft. The maps are of two kinds - elevation contour and vertical profile. Background and explanatory material important for understanding and utilizing the map collection included covers the Viking Mission, lander locations, lander cameras, the stereo mapping system and input images to this system.

Liebes, S., Jr.↗

Viking 1975 Mars lander interactive computerized video stereophotogrammetry

A novel computerized interactive video stereophotogrammetry system has been developed for analysis of Viking 1975 lander imaging data. Prompt, accurate, and versatile performance is achieved. Earth-returned digital imagery data are driven from a computer to a pair of video monitors. Powerful computer support enables a photogrammetrist, stereoscopically viewing the video displays, to create diverse topographic products. Profiles, representing the intersection of any definable surface with the Martian relief, are readily generated. Vertical profiles and elevation contour maps, including stereo versions, are produced. Computer overlays of map products on stereo images aid map interpretation and permit independent quality evaluation. Slaved monitors enable parallel viewing. Maps span from the immediate foreground to the remote limits of ranging capability. Surface sampler arm specific vertical profiles enable direct reading of arm commands required for sample acquisition, rock rolling, and trenching. The ranging accuracy of plus or minus 2 cm throughout the sample area degrades to plus or minus 20 m at 100-m range.

Liebes, S., Jr.↗

The 'soil' of Mars /Viking 1/

The immediate environs of the Viking 1 lander are described, and the techniques employed to deduce the properties of the two different 'soil' types there are summarized. It is shown that the surface in the immediate vicinity of the lander consists of an area with fine-grained materials ('Sandy Flats') and a rocky area set in a matrix of finer-grained material ('Rocky Flats'). Estimates are given for the bulk density, particle density, particle size distribution, cohesion, angle of internal friction, and penetration resistance of the surface layer in each area. Footpad penetration into the surface layer is discussed, and wind removal of particles is examined. It is concluded that the surface layer of the Viking 1 landing site contains loess, dune sand, lunar nominal soil, lag gravel, and bare rock.

Shorthill, R. W.↗

Fine particles on Mars - Observations with the Viking 1 lander cameras

Drifts of fine-grained sediment are present in the vicinity of the Viking 1 lander. Many drifts occur in the lees of large boulders. Morphologic analysis indicates that the last dynamic event was one of general deflation for at least some drifts. Particle cohesion implies that there is a distinct small-particle upturn in the threshold velocity-particle size curve; the apparent absence of the most easily moved particles (150 micrometers in diameter) may be due to their preferential transport to other regions or their preferential collisional destruction. A twilight rescan with lander cameras indicates a substantial amount of red dust with mean radius on the order of 1 micrometer in the atmosphere.

Mutch, T. A.↗

The surface of Mars - The view from the Viking 1 lander

Imagery of the surface of Mars obtained by Viking 1 is analyzed. The lander is situated on the western slopes of the 5-km deep Chryse Planitia depression, about 2 km higher than the floor. The topography is gently rolling. Angular rocks and small sand dunes are visible. There are very few craters; initial evaluations indicate that crater area densities are several orders of magnitude below saturation for crater sizes less than about 50 m. The presence of scour marks and of fine-grained deposits in some boulders indicates that some aeolian activity has occurred. Almost all the sky brightness can be attributed to scattering by particles present in the atmosphere. No signs of movement have been detected, consistent with the low seasonal winds recorded by meteorological instruments.

Mutch, T. A.↗

Gravitational lens simulator.

Simulated gravitational lens made of Plexiglass for demonstrating stellar gravitational lens phenomena, presenting partial cross section

Liebes, S., Jr.↗