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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.

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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Mars surface properties observed by earth-based radar at 70-, 12.5-, and 3.8-cm wavelengths

In the present paper, the results are summarized of a study aimed at determining the small-scale surface properties of Mars (for the Viking project) from a thorough review of all available Martian radar data for the 1973 opposition. Analysis of the quasi-specular echo component showed changes in apparent reflectivity of at least 5 to 1. If attributed entirely to variations in surface material, these correspond to dielectric constants between 1.6 and 4.0. Values of rms surface slope on 1- to 100-m scales range from as low as 0.5 degrees in tablelands near Valles Marineris to more than 3.0 degrees in certain other areas. There is a weak correlation between the small-scale surface characteristics inferred from radar and those inferred from Mariner 9 images and other remote-sensing data sets.

Simpson, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Design of space payloads for transient environments

Current practices used to design space payload structures for transient dynamic loads are described. Included in the discussion of the design process are the estimation of preliminary loads, development of dynamic models, calculation of transient loads, verification of analytical models, establishment of development tests, definition of the qualification tests, and acquisition of flight data. An indication of the accuracy of the analytical predictions is provided by comparing them with actual test and flight data. Many illustrations and much data obtained during the Viking Project are used to clarify the current practices.

Wada, B. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Deployment and release mechanisms on the Swedish satellite, VIKING

Two mechanism types are presented, a rigid boom system and a 'hold and release' mechanism for spherical sensors. Both mechanisms have been designed, developed and tested by Saab-Space AB, Linkoping, Sweden for the VIKING project under a contract from the Swedish Space Corporation.

Eriksson, S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Why Mars?

The possibility of life on Mars, clues to the evolution of the solar system, fascination with the chemistry, geology, and meteorology of another planet led the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to Mars. Project Viking's goal, after making a soft landing on Mars, was to execute a set of scientific investigations that would not only provide data on the physical nature of the planet but also make a first attempt at determining if detectable life forms were present.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1990

Long-range planning cost model for support of future space missions by the deep space network

A simple model is suggested to do long-range planning cost estimates for Deep Space Network (DSP) support of future space missions. The model estimates total DSN preparation costs and the annual distribution of these costs for long-range budgetary planning. The cost model is based on actual DSN preparation costs from four space missions: Galileo, Voyager (Uranus), Voyager (Neptune), and Magellan. The model was tested against the four projects and gave cost estimates that range from 18 percent above the actual total preparation costs of the projects to 25 percent below. The model was also compared to two other independent projects: Viking and Mariner Jupiter/Saturn (MJS later became Voyager). The model gave cost estimates that range from 2 percent (for Viking) to 10 percent (for MJS) below the actual total preparation costs of these missions.

Sherif, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Geodesy and cartography of the Martian satellites

The difficulties connected with conventional maps of Phobos and Deimos are largely overcome by producing maps in digital forms, i.e., by projecting Viking Orbiter images onto a global topographic model made from collections of radii derived by photogrammetry. The resulting digital mosaics are then formatted as arrays of body-centered latitudes, longitudes, radii, and brightness values of Viking Orbiter images. The Phobos mapping described was done with Viking Orbiter data. Significant new coverage was obtained by the Soviet Phobos mission. The mapping of Deimos is in progress, using the techniques developed for Phobos.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Risk and value analysis of SETI

This paper attempts to apply a traditional risk and value analysis to the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence--SETI. In view of the difficulties of assessing the probability of success, a comparison is made between SETI and a previous search for extraterrestrial life, the biological component of Project Viking. Our application of simple Utility Theory, given some reasonable assumptions, suggests that SETI is at least as worthwhile as the biological experiment on Viking.

NASA Program Exobiology↗
NASA NTRS1978

Viking extended mission support

The Deep Space Network (DSN) support of Viking spacecraft activities and the DSN Viking command and tracking support are reported. The status of DSN Mark 3 data (MDS) subsystem implementation project related Viking testing is included.

Gillette, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Viking extended mission support

The period from 1 July through 31 August 1977 is covered and included is the remainder of post DSN Mark 3 Data Subsystem Implementation Project Viking-related testing at DSS14. Also included are reports on the Viking DSN Discrepancy Reporting System, Viking command support, tracking support, and periodic tests conducted with the Viking spacecraft.

Howe, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Post-mission Viking data anaysis

Three Mars data analysis projects from the Viking Mars program were identified initially, and three more came into being as the work proceeded. All together, these six pertained to: (1) the veritical distribution of scattering particles in the Martian atmosphere at various locations in various seasons, (2) the physical parameters that define photometric properties of the Martian surface and atmosphere, (3) patterns of dust-cloud and global dust-storm development, (4) a direct comparison of near-simultaneous Viking and ground-based observations, (5) the annual formation and dissipation of polar frost caps, and (6) evidence concerning possible present-day volcanism or venting. A list of publications pertaining to the appropriate projects is included.

Baum, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Dual frequency dichroic feed performance

The NASA Deep Space Net (DSN) in support of the Viking Mars Project in 1976, and for science and technology demonstrations during the Mariner-Venus-Mercury mission in 1974, has developed and implemented a dual (S- and X-band) feed for large ground microwave antennas. This feed provides for a multiplicity of functions; very low listening capability at each downlink (spacecraft-to-earth) band as well as simultaneous diplexed very high cw power uplink (earth-to-spacecraft) at the S-band frequency. Total 64-m antenna system performance, is considered in terms of gain, operating noise temperature and dual beam pointing or boresight coincidence. Because of the unique ability to fold or stow the dual band feed elements for single band operations, the performance definition between single and dual band operations will be reliable and accurate.

Bathker, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Telecommunications performance analysis and monitoring software

The computer software used for telecommunications performance analysis and monitoring is discussed. The utilization of the TPAP analysis program for the Viking 1975 project and the Voyager 1977 project is described. The functional and design requirements for the successor system, TPAS, are also given.

Taylor, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The chemical activities of the Viking biology experiments and the arguments for the presence of superoxides, peroxides, gamma-Fe2O3 and carbon suboxide polymer in the Martian soil

The evolution of N2, Ar, O2, and CO2 from Martian soil as a function of humidity in the Gas Exchange Experiment are correlated with the mean level of water vapor in the Martian atmosphere. All but O2 are associated with desorption. The evolution of oxygen is consistent with the presence of alkaline earth and alkali metal superoxides; and their peroxides and the gamma-Fe2O3 in the soil can account for the generation of radioactive gas in the Labeled Release Experiment. The slower evolution of CO2 from both the Gas Exchange Experiment and the Labeled Release Experiment are associated with the direct oxidation of organics by gamma-Fe2O3. The Pyrolytic Release Experiment's second peak may be carbon suboxide as demonstrated by laboratory experiments. A necessary condition is that the polymer exists in the Martian soil. We ascribe the activity of the surface samples to the reaction of Martian particulates with an anhydrous CO2 atmosphere activated by uv and ionizing radiations. The surface particles are ultimately altered by exposure to small but significant amounts of water at the sites. From the working model, we have predicted the peculiar nature of the chemical entities and demonstrated that the model is justified by laboratory data. The final confirmation of this model will entail a return to Mars, but the nature and implications of this chemistry for the Martian surface is predicted to reveal even more about Mars with further simulations in the laboratory.

long duration↗
NASA NTRS1998

The Mars oxidant experiment (MOx) for Mars '96

The MOx instrument was developed to characterize the reactive nature of the martian soil. The objectives of MOx were: (1) to measure the rate of degradation of organics in the martian environment; (2) to determine if the reactions seen by the Viking biology experiments were caused by a soil oxidant and measure the reactivity of the soil and atmosphere: (3) to monitor the degradation, when exposed to the martian environment, of materials of potential use in future missions; and, finally, (4) to develop technologies and approaches that can be part of future soil analysis instrumentation. The basic approach taken in the MOx instrument was to place a variety of materials composed as thin films in contact with the soil and monitor the physical and chemical changes that result. The optical reflectance of the thin films was the primary sensing-mode. Thin films of organic materials, metals, and semiconductors were prepared. Laboratory simulations demonstrated the response of thin films to active oxidants.

Flight Experiment↗
NASA NTRS1998

Past, present, and future life on Mars

Although the Viking results indicated that the surface of Mars is dry and lifeless, there is direct geomorphological evidence that Mars had large amounts of liquid water on its surface in the past. From a biological perspective the existence of liquid water, by itself, motivates the question of the origin of life on Mars. One of the martian meteorites dates back to this early period and may contain evidence consistent with life. The Mars environment 3.5 to 4.0 Gyr ago was comparable to that on the Earth at this time in that both contained liquid water. Life had originated on Earth and reached a fair degree of biological sophistication by 3.5 Gyr ago. To determine if life similarly arose on Mars may require extensive robotic exploration and ultimately human exploration. Intensive exploration of Mars will require a continued presence on the Martian surface and the development of a self sustaining community in which humans can live and work for very long periods of time. A permanent Mars research station can obtain its life support requirements directly from the martian environment enabling a high degree of self-sufficiency. In the longer term, it is possible that in the future we might restore a habitable climate on Mars, returning it to the life-bearing state it may have enjoyed early in its history.

NASA Center ARC↗
NASA NTRS2000

Evidence that the reactivity of the martian soil is due to superoxide ions

The Viking Landers were unable to detect evidence of life on Mars but, instead, found a chemically reactive soil capable of decomposing organic molecules. This reactivity was attributed to the presence of one or more as-yet-unidentified inorganic superoxides or peroxides in the martian soil. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we show that superoxide radical ions (O2-) form directly on Mars-analog mineral surfaces exposed to ultraviolet radiation under a simulated martian atmosphere. These oxygen radicals can explain the reactive nature of the soil and the apparent absence of organic material at the martian surface.

long duration↗
NASA NTRS2000

The missing organic molecules on Mars

GC-MS on the Viking 1976 Mars missions did not detect organic molecules on the Martian surface, even those expected from meteorite bombardment. This result suggested that the Martian regolith might hold a potent oxidant that converts all organic molecules to carbon dioxide rapidly relative to the rate at which they arrive. This conclusion is influencing the design of Mars missions. We reexamine this conclusion in light of what is known about the oxidation of organic compounds generally and the nature of organics likely to come to Mars via meteorite. We conclude that nonvolatile salts of benzenecarboxylic acids, and perhaps oxalic and acetic acid, should be metastable intermediates of meteoritic organics under oxidizing conditions. Salts of these organic acids would have been largely invisible to GC-MS. Experiments show that one of these, benzenehexacarboxylic acid (mellitic acid), is generated by oxidation of organic matter known to come to Mars, is rather stable to further oxidation, and would not have been easily detected by the Viking experiments. Approximately 2 kg of meteorite-derived mellitic acid may have been generated per m(2) of Martian surface over 3 billion years. How much remains depends on decomposition rates under Martian conditions. As available data do not require that the surface of Mars be very strongly oxidizing, some organic molecules might be found near the surface of Mars, perhaps in amounts sufficient to be a resource. Missions should seek these and recognize that these complicate the search for organics from entirely hypothetical Martian life.

unmanned↗