Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “MoN”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2018

Mineralogy of Aeolian Sand in Gale Crater, Mars

Final Document is attached. Introduction: The Mars Science Laboratory Curi-osity rover landed in Gale crater in August 2012 to search for habitable enironments preserved in the rocks and sediments on the lower slopes of Aeolis Mons (i.e., Mount Sharp). Along the traverse, Curiosity encountered an active aeolian sand sheet, informally known as the Bagnold dune field. Orbital CRISM vis/near-IR data suggest that there are varying abun-dances of olivine and pyroxene across the dune field, where the barchan dunes on the edge of the dune field have stronger olivine signatures than the linear dunes.

Rampe, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Curiosity's Investigation at Vera Rubin Ridge

The Curiosity rover is exploring Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR), a ~6.5 km long and ~200 m wide topographic feature trending northeast-southwest across Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mt. Sharp) (Fig 1). In orbital data, VRR is distinct from the underlying Murray formation due to its relative erosional resistance and greater exposure of bedrock. Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) orbital data show a hematite spectral signature over much of the ridge (Fig. 2). On the ground, Curiosity also observed hematite associated with the sedimentary rocks of the underlying Murray formation, although these detections are difficult to see with CRISM due to mixing with sand and dust.

Fraeman, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Using Mineralogy of the Bagnold Dune Field in Gale Crater to Interpret Eolian Sediment Sorting on the Martian Surface

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover landed in Gale crater in August 2012 to characterize modern and ancient surface environments. Curiosity executed a two-phase campaign to study the morphology, activity, physical properties, and chemical and mineralogical composition of the Bagnold Dune Field, an active eolian dune field on the lower slopes of Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp). Detectable aspects of dune sand mineralogy have been examined from orbit with the visible/short-wave infrared spectrometer CRISMand the thermal-infrared spectrometers THEMIS and TES. CRISM data demonstrate variations in plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine abundances across the dune field. Curiosity analyzed sediments from two locations in the dune field to evaluate the causes of the mineralogical differences observed from orbit. The Gobabeb sample was collected from Namib Dune, a barchanoidal dune on the upwind margin of the dune field, and the Ogunquit Beach sample was collected from the Mount Desert Island sand patch located downwind from Namib. These samples were sieved to <150 μm and delivered to the CheMin X-ray diffraction instrument for quantitative mineralogical analysis. CRISM-derived mineralogy of the Namib Dune and Mount Desert Island and CheMin-derived mineralogy of the Gobabeb and Ogunquit Beach samples can be used in a value-added manner to interpret grain segregation at the bedform to dune-field scale and evaluate contributions from local sediment sources. Models of CRISM data demonstrate that Mount Desert Island is more enriched in olivine and less enriched in plagioclase than Namib dune, suggesting that fine-grained mafic sediments are preferentially mobilized downwind. Curiosity data indicate olivine also forms a coarse lag on the lee sides of barchanoidal dunes. Minor abundances of hematite, quartz, and anhydrite and small differences in the crystal chemistry of plagioclase and pyroxene derived from CheMin data suggest that sediments from the underlying lacustrine rocks also contribute to the Bagnold sands.

Rampe, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Curiosity's Investigation of the Bagnold Dunes, Gale Crater: Overview of a Two-Phase Scientific Campaign

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover landed at Gale crater in August 2012 with the goal of unravelling the climate and habitability history of ancient Mars. On its way to higher stratigraphic levels of Aeolis Mons, the crater's central mound, Curiosity crossed an active dune field informally named the Bagnold Dune Field. Curiosity's traverse through the Bagnold Dunes between December 2015 and April 2017 constituted the first in situ investigation of an active dune field on another planet. The scientific campaign at the dunes enabled a detailed study of martian eolian processes at scales that are unachievable from orbiter-based imagery, from the scale of compound bedforms down to those of individual sand grains. The eolian-science campaign was broadly divided into two main phases - a first-phase investigation near two barchan dunes along the northern trailing edge of the dune field, Namib and High Dunes, and a second-phase investigation farther south near a linear dune, the Nathan Bridges Dune, named after our beloved colleague and friend Nathan Bridges. In addition to these two phases, the Bagnold Dunes campaign included punctual investigations of isolated ripples and ripple fields further along the rover traverse away from the Bagnold Dune Field. The main goals of the scientific investigation at the Bagnold Dunes were two-fold: (I) developing a mechanistic understanding of martian eolian processes and rates from direct in situ observations of eolian structures and their dynamics, and (II) characterizing the physical properties and the chemical and mineral composition of eolian sands and dust on Mars. Significant advances in martian eolian science resulted from Curiosity's ground investigation of the active Bagnold Dunes. Altogether, results from the Bagnold Dunes campaign are key to understanding how the martian environment affects eolian processes, and will thus prove most useful to deciphering paleoenvironments from the martian eolian sedimentary record.

Lapotre, M. G. A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Mineralogical and Geochemical Trends of the Murray Mudstones, Gale Crater: A Combined Sample Analysis at Mars-Evolved Gas Analyzer and Chemistry and Mineralogy Instrument Assessment

The Murray formation is predominantly composed of lacustrine mudstone that forms the basal layer of Aeolis Mons (informally Mt. Sharp) in Gale Crater, Mars. The Murray formation has distinct iron and sulfur mineralogical variation within its stratigraphy detectable by the Chemistry Mineralogy (Che-Min) instrument consisting of magnetite/hematite in the lower Murray and higher hematite, CaSO4, and smectite content in the upper Murray. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the Sample Analysis at Mars Evolved Gas Analyzer (SAM-EGA) data to 1) Determine what SAM-EGA-detectable phases correlate or do not correlate with the Murray mineralogical composition detected by CheMin and 2) Utilize CheMin/SAM results to propose possible formation scenarios for the observed Murray mudstone mineralogy.

Sutter, B.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Compositional Characteristics and Trends Within the Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater, Mars as Determined by APXS: Sedimentary, Diagenetic and Alteration History

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover has spent the last two years investigating a prominent resistant ridge, informally named the Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR), at the base of Mount Sharp (Aeolis Mons). The ridge has been a high priority science target for the MSL mission since landing in Gale crater more than 6 years ago because of the detection of a strong hematite spectral signature, and its distinct topography. Examining the chemistry of the ridge can aid in determining the relationship to other rocks analyzed during the rover traverse, specifically the Murray formation (fm) encountered below the ridge. We can also determine compositional trends with elevation and/or laterally within the ridge, and whether spectral properties observed on the ridge, both from orbit and in situ, correspond with changes in chemistry. The composition of the ridge, combined with mineralogy of drilled samples, can help to elucidate bigger picture questions regarding depositional environment, possible changing lake water chemistry and diagenetic/alteration history.

Thompson, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Thermochemical Modelling of Fluid-Rock Reactions in Vera Rubin Ridge, Galecrater, Mars

Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR) in Gale Crater, Mars, is a ~200 m wide ~6.5 km long northeast- southwest resistant geomorphological feature on the northern slopes of Aeolis Mons (Mt. Sharp). Analysis of Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) orbital data showed that VRR has strong hematite spectral signatures. Hematite was confirmed in-situ at VRR with the Curiosity rover and has been shown to be present throughout the Mur- ray formation. VRR is stratigraphically continu-ous with the underlying Murray formation. Previous thermochemical modelling showed how hematite at VRR could have formed as the result of open-system weathering at high water/rock ratios. Here we use thermochemical modelling to investigate possible reaction pathways for the hematite-clay- bearing assemblage observed at VRR, starting from an identified least-altered (minimum clay content) Murray composition, and a Mars basal brine.

Turner, S. M. R.↗
NASA NTRS2019

The Mineralogical Record of Ancient Fluvio-Lacustrine Environments in Gale Crater as Measured by the MSL CheMin Instrument

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover landed in Gale crater in August 2012 to investigate early Hesperian-aged sedimentary rocks on the lower slopes of Aeolis Mons (i.e., Mount Sharp) that show variations in phyllosilicates, hematite, and sulfates from orbital reflectance spectroscopy, suggesting changes in ancient aqueous environments. During the Eighth International Conference on Mars in July 2014, Curiosity was still traversing the Bradbury group on the plains of Gale crater (Aeolis Palus) and had only analyzed four samples in its internal laboratories. Soon after Mars 8, Curiosity began its investigation of Mount Sharp and has since driven through ~350 m of vertical stratigraphy, the majority of which is part of the Murray formation. The Murray fm is comprised primarily of laminated mudstone with occasional sandstone and heterolithic facies and represents a long-lived fluvio-lacustrine environment. Curiosity has analyzed 13 drilled rock samples from the Murray formation and 4 from the ancient eolian Stimson fm with the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument. Here, we discuss the mineralogy of all fluvio-lacustrine samples analyzed to date and what these results tell us about sources of the sediments, aqueous environments, and habitability of ancient Gale crater.

Rampe, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Single Stage to Orbit Design for a Hybrid Mars Ascent

A Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) hybrid propulsion system has been previously studied as an option for a conceptual Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). The hybrid motor uses a wax-based fuel developed specifically for this application, so it can take advantage of a single port design. The oxidizer is Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen (MON-25). Higher Nitric Oxide concentrations have been discussed in the past, however, the lower temperature capability is no longer needed. The MAV Payload Assembly (MPA), which would house the Orbiting Sample (OS) has changed substantially from previous iterations and has become more compact. Benefits of the hybrid option include its predicted low temperature behavior, high performance and ability to restart (enabling the SSTO). However, the hybrid technology remained at a relatively low Technology Readiness Level (TRL). In an attempt to increase the TRL, a technology development program has been underway for the past four years. The results of the technology development program are now being incorporated to an updated concept for a hybrid Mars Ascent Vehicle, with the eventual goal of informing a hybrid propulsion design that closes under the guidelines currently envisioned for a potential Mars Sample Return campaign. This paper focuses on the hybrid propulsion system design and the preliminary results from the first part of the FY19 technology development program (October 2018 to July 2019) and includes some results from a Preliminary Architecture Assessment (PAA) study. In the PAA, experts from all relevant subsystems (propulsion, avionics, GN&C, structures, thermal, etc.) are brought together to determine an updated vehicle design. The PAA is being run out of Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in coordination with the Mars Sample Return study lead by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Currently, it is thought that the Mars Ascent Vehicle would be housed in a Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL), along with a fetch rover. The SRL would be responsible for several crucial functions on the MAV including heating, erection and providing the ignition signal. This paper will also outline the future testing and path forward through the rest of the fiscal year. This includes full scale testing at Whittinghill Aerospace, hypergolic additive testing at Purdue, evaluation of adding hypergolic additives to a full-scale grain. A hybrid fuel formulation has been updated with a reduced regression rate, which again was developed by Space Propulsion Group. This design will be used to determine the benefits of a hybrid versus solid propulsion system for a MAV, as they fit into the larger vision for a potential Mars Sample Return campaign.

Story, George↗
NASA NTRS2020

The Stratigraphy of Central and Western Butte and the Greenheugh Pediment Contact

The Greenheugh pediment at the base of Aeolis Mons (Mt. Sharp), which may truncate units in the Murray formation and is capped by a thin sandstone unit, appears to represent a major shift in climate history within Gale crater. The pediment appears to be an erosional remnant of potentially a much more extensive feature. Curiosity’s traverse through the southern extent of Glen Torridon (south of Vera Rubin ridge) has brought the rover in contact with several new stratigraphic units that lie beneath the pediment. These strata were visited at two outcrop-forming buttes (Central and Western butte- both remnants of the retreating pediment) south of an orbitally defined boundary marking the transition from the Fractured Clay-bearing Unit (fCU) and the fractured Intermediate Unit (fIU). Here we present preliminary interpretations of the stratigraphy within Central and Western buttes and propose the Western butte cap rocks do not match the pediment capping unit.

Bryk, A. B.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Mineralogy of Vera Rubin Ridge in Gale Crater from the Mars Science Laboratory CheMin instrument

Gale crater was selected as the landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover because of orbital evidence for a variety of secondary minerals in the lower slopes of Aeolis Mons (aka Mount Sharp) that indicate changes in aqueous conditions over time. Distinct units demonstrate orbital spectral signatures of hematite, phyllosilicate (smectite), and sulfate minerals, which suggest that ancient aqueous environments in Gale crater varied in oxidation potential, pH, and water activity. Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) is the first of these units identified from orbit to have been studied by Curiosity. Orbital near-infrared data from VRR show a strong band at 860 nm indicative of hematite. Before Curiosity arrived at VRR, the hypotheses to explain the formation of hematite included (1) precipitation at a redox interface where aqueous Fe2+ was oxidized to Fe3+, and (2) acidic alteration of olivine in oxic fluids. Studying the composition and sedimentology of the rocks on VRR allow us to test and refine these hypotheses and flesh out the depositional and diagenetic history of the ridge. Here, we focus on the mineralogical results of four rock powders drilled from and immediately below VRR as determined by CheMin.

Rampe, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS2020

The Role of Diagenesis at Vera Rubin Ridge in Gale Crater, Mars, and the Chemostratigraphy of the Murray Formation as Observed by the Chemcam Instrument

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover explored Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) in Gale crater, Mars, for almost 500 sols (Mars days) between arriving at the ridge on sol 1809 of the mission in September 2017 and leaving it on sol 2302 upon entering the Glen Torridon area south of the ridge. VRR is a topographic ridge on the central mound, Aeolis Mons (Mt. Sharp), in Gale crater that displays a strong hematite spectral signature from orbit. In-situ observations on the ridge led to the recognition that the ridge-forming rocks belong to the Murray formation, the lowermost exposed stratigraphic unit of the Mt. Sharp group, that was first encountered at the Pahrump Hills location. Including VRR rocks, the Murray formation, interpreted to be primarily deposited in an ancient lacustrine environment in Gale crater, is more than 300 m thick. VRR itself is composed of two stratigraphic members within the Murray formation, the Pettegrove Point member overlain by the Jura member. The Pettegrove Point member overlies the Blunts Point member of the Murray formation. Areas of gray coloration are observed in the Jura member predominantly, but also in the Pettegrove Point member. Generally, gray areas are found in local topographic depressions, but contacts between red and gray rocks crosscut stratigraphy. Additionally, cm-scale dark concretions with very high iron-content are commonly observed in gray rocks, typically surrounded by a lighttoned zone that is conversely depleted in iron. A key goal for the VRR campaign was to characterize geochemical variations in the ridge-forming rocks to investigate the role of primary and diagenetic controls on the geochemistry and morphology of VRR. Here, we present observations by the ChemCam instrument on VRR and compare these to the full Murray formation chemostratigraphy. This work was recently submitted to a special issue of JGRPlanets that detail the full VRR campaign.

Frydenvang, J.↗
NASA NTRS2020

XMM-Newton observations of eleven intermediate polars and possible candidates

We aim to identify new intermediate polars (IPs) in XMM-Newton observations from a list of promising candidates. By selecting targets not previously known to be X-ray bright we aim to uncover evidence for an X-ray underluminous IP subpopulation. We performed period searches on the XMM-Newton X-ray and optical data of our targets to seek both the spin and orbital periods, which differ in IPs. We also investigated the X-ray spectra to find the hot plasma emission shown by these objects. With archival Swift data we coarsely investigated the long-term X-ray variability, and with archival optical data from a variety of catalogues, we compared the optical to X-ray luminosity to identify X-ray faint objects. This paper presents the first XMM-Newton observation of the prototype IP, DQ Her. We find firm evidence for HZ Pup, V349 Aqr, and IGR J18151-1052 being IPs, with likely white dwarf spin periods of 1552, 390, and 390 s, respectively. The former two have luminosities typical of IPs, and the latter is strongly absorbed and with unknown distance. GI Mon and V1084 Her are apparently non-magnetic CVs with interesting short-term variability unrelated to WD spin. V533 Her is probably a magnetic CV and remains a good IP candidate, while V1039 Cen is possibly a polar. The remaining candidates were too faint to allow for any firm conclusions.

H. Worpel↗
NASA NTRS2019

Hybrid propulsion technology development for a potential near-term Mars Ascent Vehicle

A technology development program for a potential hybrid Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) is currently underway to enable its infusion into a potential Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign as early as 2026. A NASA team from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Ames Research Center (ARC) is leading and coordinating this program. A new propellant combination: the wax-based fuel, SP7, and MON-30 were proposed for a hybrid option for the MAV propulsion system several years ago. Since that time, hotfire testing with a similar propellant combination (SP7/MON-3) has been completed and a pathway to achieving high performance with the flight propellant combination is currently being pursued. Highlights of the progress to date and plans for risk reduction and the next steps in hybrid technology will be presented.

Zilliac, Greg↗
NASA NTRS2020

Basaltic Fissure Types on Earth: Suitable Analogs to Evaluate the Origins of Volcanic Terrains on the Moon and Mars?

Basaltic eruptive fissures of the Great Rift and surroundings on the eastern Snake River Plain of Idaho, USA, and selected volcanic features in Hawai`i, Iceland and northern Africa were surveyed for their relevancy as planetary analogs. Evaluated during field investigations and in satellite imagery for structures, physiography, and geologic setting, fissures were categorized into four broad types: (1) simple, monogenetic fissures with obvious volcanic constructs or deposits, (2) monogenetic fissures now obscured by low shields or relatively large cones, (3) polygenetic volcanic rift zones with multiple vents and deposits, and (4) compound regional fissure systems or dike swarms that comprise major rift zones or large volcanic terrains. Using this classification as an initial base, we surveyed imagery of volcanic features for likely fissure vents in two major geologic settings on the Moon: floor-fractured craters (FFCs) and mare and cryptomare provinces. Two major regions on Mars, the volcanic plains around Alba Mons and the greater Tharsis region, were also surveyed for fissure types and volcanic associations of fissure-like features. The planetary surveys suggest that the proposed classification provides a suitable analog starting point to interpret structures associated with fissure systems on the Moon and Mars. With few exceptions, our survey indicates that each of the studied terrains exhibits a dominant fissure type. Type 1 fissures, most with pyroclastic deposits, prevail in lunar FFCs and mare-like regions; whereas type 2 fissures are ubiquitous in the Tharsis region of Mars and a few exist on the Moon as low shields. Type 3 volcanic rift zones are not common on either the Moon or Mars, although they might become evident in future work on chemically evolved terrains. Type 4 fissures are inferred in mare terrains, often represented as the extensions of major linear rille networks or rimae, with possibly complex dike swarms that were buried beneath voluminous mare basalt lava flows. Likewise, numerous flood lavas on Mars are possibly associated with now-obscured or difficult to define type 4 fissure systems.

Scott S. Hughes↗
NASA NTRS2021

Microgravity Science Database Development

Throughout NASA’s history, the agency has developed a plethora of complex systems, such as the International Space Station and the space shuttle, and performed research in several fields spanning the gamut from psychology to welding and materials research. Throughout these studies, an extensive amount of data has been generated and unfortunately at times regenerated. As Barend Mons states “Huge sums of taxpayer funds go to waste because such data cannot be reused.”[2] While his comments were directed at the state of data management in the European Union, it is no less valid for data management practices in the United States. The issues surrounding data management, including storage, retrieval, and analysis, will continue to be of utmost importance as the agency aims to responsibly utilize funds and gather the maximum benefit from flight and ground experiments.

Data↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mineralogical Trends Over the Clay-Sulfate Transition in Gale Crater from the Mars Science Laboratory CheMin Instrument

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover landed in Gale crater in 2012 to explore a sedimentary sequence in lower Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp)that shows changes in mineralogy from orbital visible/near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy[1]. Sedimentary layers with spectral signatures of hydrated Mg sulfate overly layers with signatures of Fe/Mg smectite, a mineralogical stratigraphy that is seen in other ancient sedimentary rocks across Mars[e.g., 2-4]. Curiosity recently completed its campaign in a valley with a strong orbital signature of smectite, named Glen Torridon. Mineralogical measurements by the CheMin X-ray diffractometer(XRD), complemented by evolved gas analyses by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite, allowed the identification of abundant Fe3+-bearing dioctahedral smectite (i.e., nontronite) in Glen Torridon [5-6]. Curiosity left Glen Torridon in February 2021 and began traversing through a “clay-sulfate transition” zone on the way to the pediment and the sulfate unit[e.g., 7]. This clay-sulfate transition is defined in orbital reflectance spectroscopy as having a weak signature of hydrated Mg sulfate. Curiosity has drilled five outcrops over the traverse through the clay-sulfate transition and delivered the rock powders to CheMin for mineralogical analysis. Here, we report on the mineral assemblages of those five targets derived from CheMin XRD patterns and discuss mineralogical trends as the rover approaches the sulfate unit.

Mars↗
NASA NTRS2021

Nighttime Convection in Water-ice Clouds at High Northern Latitudes on Mars

We investigate water-ice clouds and their influence on the temperature structure of the Mar-tian atmosphere at high northern latitudes in early summer. New results are obtained throughcoordinated analysis of two types of data from Mars Global Surveyor: atmospheric profiles re-trieved from radio occultation (RO) measurements and wide-angle images from the Mars OrbiterCamera (MOC). Some RO profiles contain a layer of neutral static stability, which indicates thepresence of convective mixing at a local time (about 5 h) when it does not usually occur. Thesenocturnal mixed layers (NMLs) were observed frequently in early summer of Mars year 27 atlatitudes of 53–72◦N and longitudes of 210–330◦E. The base of a typical NML is 3 km abovethe surface, about the same height as the nighttime cloud layer detected by the Phoenix LIDARin early summer of Mars year 29 at 234◦E, 68◦N. The depth of the NMLs ranges from less than1 km to more than 5 km. Comparisons with nearly simultaneous MOC images demonstrate thatNMLs are closely associated with water-ice clouds. There is a dense cluster of NMLs within theannular cloud that appears every year in early summer between Alba Mons and the north polarresidual ice cap. The lighting conditions at this location and season allowed MOC to observe theannular cloud on most orbits, at 118-min intervals. Its appearance varies dramatically with localtime, becoming more symmetrical and better organized at night and dissipating to a crescentshape during the day. According to high-resolution numerical simulations (Spiga et al., 2017),including a large-eddy simulation at the Phoenix landing site, NMLs form when radiative cool-ing by water-ice aerosols causes convective instability; the mixed layer is forced from above bynegative buoyancy. Our results strongly support this conclusion. In addition, MOC images frommidsummer contain eastward-moving frontal clouds. Temperature profiles within these cloudsshow signs of near-surface advection of warm air, which reduces the static stability of the loweratmosphere and contributes, along with cloud radiation, to the formation of an NML.

David Hinson↗