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At least 73 records · Page 4

Viking Observations of Phobos and Deimos: Preliminary Results

The improved resolution of the Viking images has led to the discovery of a number of unusual surface features on Phobos. The features include elongated rill-like depressions associated with the crater Stickney, chains and clusters of irregular elongated craters, and linear striations or grooves. Crater counts are also considered. A total of 27 craters ranging in size from 0.3 to 1.4 km are visible on the best Deimos frame available. Craters ranging from 50 m to 4.9 km in diameter can be observed on the best of the Phobos images.

Veverka, J.↗

Deimos encounter by Viking - Preliminary imaging results

Recent close flybys of Deimos by Viking revealed a smooth-appearing surface void of grooves. Higher-resolution pictures showed that the surface was actually covered with craters but that a regolith filled the smaller craters, giving the smooth appearance. The surface was also covered with boulders and bright streak-like markings analogous to base-surge or ejecta cloud deposits.

Duxbury, T. C.↗

Phobos and deimos: Analysis of surface features, ejecta dynamics and a volatile loss mechanism

The question of whether the crater population on Phobos represents a production population or an equilibrium population is considered. The absolute ages of cratered surfaces are interpreted and analyzed. A computer program was developed to study the dynamics of material ejected from Martian satellites and to investigate the hypothesis that at least some of the extensive set of linear features discovered on the surface of Phobos could be the result of secondary cratering from the Stickney impact. The possibility that Deimos was catastrophically disrupted by a large impact but subsequently reaccreted is considered as well as the probability the Phobos had an impact nearly large enough to disrupt it are also discussed.

Davis, D. R.↗

Phobos and Deimos - A preview of what asteroids are like

The surfaces of Phobos and Deimos are discussed, as the best available examples of what asteroid surfaces may be like. Attention is given to shape, regolith properties, crater densities, albedo markings and surface gravities. It is found that although the surfaces of these two similarly-sized asteroid-like bodies are nearly identical in terms of many disk-integrated properties, they are strikingly different in surface morphology.

Veverka, J.↗

The unusual dynamical environment of Phobos and Deimos

A three-dimensional numerical model is used to study the dynamical environment of Phobos and Deimos. Surface gravity, escape speeds, and ejecta impact contours are calculated both for the satellites at their present orbit distances, and for orbit distances they may have had in the past. Impact loci for Stickney ejecta are also calculated and compared with the observed groove locations in order to evaluate a possible secondary-impact origin for the grooves on Phobos. Attention is also given to the possible influence of the dynamical environment on shaping the satellites' surfaces.

Davis, D. R.↗

Pole and prime meridian expressions for Phobos and Deimos

Simple trigonometric expressions are derived for the right ascensions and declinations of the spin axes of Phobos and Deimos as well as for their prime meridians. Simple expressions are possible since both satellites are in synchronous rotation about Mars and since the orbits of both satellites are accurately modeled as precessing ellipses. Spin axis expressions reflect the offset and precession of the orbit pole about the Laplacian pole. Prime meridian expressions include orbital mean motion, long-period solar perturbations, secular acceleration, and short-period, tidally induced forced libration. These simple expressions agree with rigorous expressions to + or - 0.2 deg.

Duxbury, T. C.↗

The PH-D proposal - A manned mission to Phobos and Deimos

The rationale for a manned mission to the satellites of Mars is discussed. The view has been expressed that NASA must define a major program to follow the Shuttle and to utilize it. However, such a program could not be initiated and proceed without public support, and to obtain this support, public interest would have to be excited. It is shown that, of a number of possible targets for manned exploration in the solar system, Mars appears to be the only possible candidate. Attention is given to a comparison of three Mars missions, a Mars 1984 mission, a manned landing on Mars surface, a manned landing on Phobos and Deimos (Ph-D project), putting men in Mars orbit, the capabilities of the Ph-D mission, a description of the spacecraft, a Ph-D project operations plan, and aspects of timing, technology, and costs.

Singer, S. F.↗

Manned Mars mission transfer from Mars parking orbit to Phobos or Deimos

This paper addresses the problem of orbit transfers from a Mars parking orbit with an inclination of 165 degrees to the Mars moons. The transfer can be accomplished using a three impulse transfer. The current 1999 baseline manned Mars mission requires a Mars parking orbit with an inclination of 165 degrees. This orbit inclination is necessary due to the direction of the Mars arrival and departure asymptotes of the interplanetary trajectory. The selection of this inclination for the parking orbit minimized the delta velocity requirements at Mars arrival and departure. This presents a problem In making transfers from this orbit to either Phobos or Deimos since it is a retrograde orbit. It is possible to make this transfer efficiently using a three impulse transfer and an intermediate transfer orbit with a very large apogee altitude. This paper will show how the intermediate transfer orbit apogee can be determined based on a preselected transfer time, the delta velocities required as a function of transfer time, and the propellant required as a function of mission module weight for a transfer time of 5 days. The data presented in this paper Is specifically for the 1999 opposition class mission but the methods outlined are applicable to any other mission which requires a high inclination parking orbit.

Jack Mulqueen↗

Radiometry of Deimos

Ground-based infrared photometry of Deimos at 4.8, 10, and 20 microns is reported. The observed fluxes are significantly brighter than predicted by the 'standard' thermal model. Recent recalibrations that modify the model beam pattern of the infrared emission are marginally consistent with the observations at 10 and 20, but not at 4.8 microns.

Veeder, Glenn J.↗

Phobos and Deimos astrometric observations from Viking

This article describes the reduced astrometric observations of Phobos and Deimos derived from Viking Orbiter 1 and 2 imaging data. This data set spans four years from 1976 to 1980, contains 275 sets of spacecraft-centered, right ascension and declination observations, and has a limiting accuracy of a few km (1 sigma). The details of observation formulation and use for ephemeris improvement are given.

Duxbury, T. C.↗

Phobos and Deimos: A base for sampling the Martian past

Future exploration of Mars is summed up by the proposal that the Martian satellites provide an ideal base for exploring the surface of Mars. For example, a manned base on Deimos could direct a series of unmanned rovers and sample recovery operations, providing an immediate feedback to the operation. Samples analyzed in such an environment would be fresh, and most importantly, would not require quarantine.

Singer, S. F.↗

Phobos and Deimos astrometric observations from Mariner 9

This article describes the reduced astrometric observations of Phobos and Deimos derived from Mariner 9 imaging data. This data set spans 11 months from 1971 and 1972, contains 82 sets of spacecraft-centered right ascension and declination observations, and has an accuracy of 3 to 10 km (1-sigma) in orbital position. The details of the observation formulation and its use for ephemeris improvement are given.

Duxbury, T. C.↗

Phobos and Deimos are sources of meteoroids

Data of Pioneer 10 meteoroid penetration detectors were revised taking into account the orientation of detectors and the spacecraft velocity relative to the sporadic meteor flux. The meteor flux density increases as an exponent to the orbit of Mars for two times for the particles with masses greater than 10(exp -6) g and six times for the particles with masses greater than 10(exp -12) - 10(exp -9) g then decreases after the orbit. Ejections of secondary meteoroid particles from surfaces of Phobos and Deimos are a possible explanation for the increase in meteoroid flux.

Andreev, V. V.↗

Destination Deimos: A Design Reference Architecture for Initial Human Exploration of the Mars System

The two biggest challenges to successful human operations in interplanetary space are flight dynamics, constrained by the cold hard physics of the rocket equation, and bioastronautics, the psychophysiological realities of human adaptation, or lack thereof, to the deep space environment. Without substantial innovation in project/mission architecture and vehicle design, human exploration of the Mars system could be problematic for decades. Although a human landing on Mars is inevitable, humans-in-the-loop telerobotic exploration from the outer Martian moon Deimos is the best way to begin. Precursor robotic missions for reconnaissance and local site preparation will be required.

Logan, James S.↗

Mars, Phobos, and Deimos Sample Return Enabled by ARRM Alternative Trade Study Spacecraft

The Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission (ARRM) has been the topic of many mission design studies since 2011. The reference ARRM spacecraft uses a powerful solar electric propulsion (SEP) system and a bag device to capture a small asteroid from an Earth-like orbit and redirect it to a distant retrograde orbit (DRO) around the moon. The ARRM Option B spacecraft uses the same propulsion system and multi-Degree of Freedom (DoF) manipulators device to retrieve a very large sample (thousands of kilograms) from a 100+ meter diameter farther-away Near Earth Asteroid (NEA). This study will demonstrate that the ARRM Option B spacecraft design can also be used to return samples from Mars and its moons - either by acquiring a large rock from the surface of Phobos or Deimos, and/or by rendezvousing with a sample-return spacecraft launched from the surface of Mars.

optimization↗

Mars, Phobos, and Deimos Sample Return Enabled by ARRM Alternative Trade Study Spacecraft

The Asteroid Robotic Redirect Mission (ARRM) has been the topic of many mission design studies since 2011. The reference ARRM spacecraft uses a powerful solar electric propulsion (SEP) system and a bag device to capture a small asteroid from an Earth-like orbit and redirect it to a distant retrograde orbit (DRO) around the moon. The ARRM Option B spacecraft uses the same propulsion system and multi-Degree of Freedom (DoF) manipulators device to retrieve a very large sample (thousands of kilograms) from a 100+ meter diameter farther-away Near Earth Asteroid (NEA). This study will demonstrate that the ARRM Option B spacecraft design can also be used to return samples from Mars and its moons - either by acquiring a large rock from the surface of Phobos or Deimos, and or by rendezvousing with a sample-return spacecraft launched from the surface of Mars.

trajectory design↗

PADME (Phobos And Deimos and Mars Environment): A Proposed NASA Discovery Mission to Investigate the Two Moons of Mars

After 40 years of solar system exploration by spacecraft, the origin of Mars's satellites, remains vexingly unknown. There are three prevailing hypotheses concerning their origin: H1: They are captured small bodies from the outer main belt or beyond; H2: They are reaccreted Mars impact ejecta; H3: They are remnants of Mars' formation. There are many variants of these hypotheses, but as stated, these three capture the key ideas and constraints on their nature. So far, data and modeling have not allowed any one of these hypotheses to be verified or excluded. Each one of these hypotheses has important implications for the evolution of the solar system, the formation and evolution of planets and satellites, and the delivery of water and organics to Early Mars and Early Earth. Determining the origin of Phobos and Deimos is identified by the NASA and the NRC Decadal Survey as the most important science goal at these bodies.

Lee, Pascal↗