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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

The thermal control challenge of the Mars observer spacecraft

The thermal control subsystem for the Mars Observer spacecraft has been synthesized from hardware currently in use on earth-orbiting satellites. Heat input to the spacecraft from environmental and internal sources varies widely throughout the mission, and system requirements, such as accommodation of payload instrument fields-of-view and minimization of weight and power, limit the sizes and locations of thermal control elements. Subsystem components are primarily passive, although heaters and louvers provide augmented control where required. Spacecraft-level finite difference thermal models have shown that all component temperature requirements are met with margin.

Braun, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Mission operations data analysis tools for Mars Observer guidance and control

Mission operations for the Mars Observer (MO) Project at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory were supported by a variety of ground data processing software and analysis tools. Some of these tools were generic to multimission spacecraft mission operations, some were specific to the MO spacecraft, and others were custom tailored to the operation and control of the Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem (AACS). The focus of this paper is on the data analysis tools for the AACS. Four different categories of analysis tools are presented; with details offered for specific tools. Valuable experience was gained from the use of these tools and through their development. These tools formed the backbone and enhanced the efficiency of the AACS Unit in the Mission Operations Spacecraft Team. These same tools, and extensions thereof, have been adopted by the Galileo mission operations, and are being designed into Cassini and other future spacecraft mission operations.

Kan, Edwin P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

NASA Today - Mars Observer Segment (Part 4 of 6)

This videotape consists of eight segments from the NASA Today News program. The first segment is an announcement that there was no date set for the launch of STS-51, which had been postponed due to mechanical problems. The second segment describes the MidDeck Dynamic Experiment Facility. The third segment is about the scheduled arrival of the Mars Observer at Mars, it shows an image of Mars as seen from the approaching Observer spacecraft, and features an animation of the approach to Mars, including the maneuvers that are planned to put the spacecraft in the desired orbit. The fourth segment describes a discovery from an infrared spectrometer that there is nitrogen ice on Pluto. The fifth segment discusses the Aerospace for Kids (ASK) program at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The sixth segment is about the high school and college summer internship programs at GSFC. The seventh segment announces a science symposium being held at Johnson Space Center. The last segment describes the National Air and Space Museum and NASA's cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Mars Observer data production, transfer, and archival: The data production assembly line

This paper describes the data production, transfer, and archival process designed for the Mars Observer Flight Project. It addresses the developmental and operational aspects of the archive collection production process. The developmental aspects cover the design and packaging of data products for archival and distribution to the planetary community. Also discussed is the design and development of a data transfer and volume production process capable of handling the large throughput and complexity of the Mars Observer data products. The operational aspects cover the main functions of the process: creating data and engineering products, collecting the data products and ancillary products in a central repository, producing archive volumes, validating volumes, archiving, and distributing the data to the planetary community.

Childs, David B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Mars Observer's global mapping mission

The objectives of the Mars Observer global mapping mission are to determine the global elemental and mineralogical character of the Martian surface material, define globally the topography and gravitational field of Mars, establish the nature of Mars's magnetic field, determine the time and space distribution, abundance, sources, and sinks of volatile Martian material and dust over a seasonal cycle, and explore the structure and aspects of the circulation of the Martian atmosphere. The experiments and instruments to be used in this mission are described, and the operations and data analysis are briefly considered.

Albee, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A strategy to rotate the Mars Observer orbit node line to advance the mapping schedule

The Mars Observer (MO) spacecraft was successfully launched on September 25, 1992 and will arrive at Mars on August 24, 1993. At Mars, the spacecraft will study the planet's surface, atmosphere, and gravitational and magnetic fields. In order to achieve these scientific objectives, MO will be placed in a 2 PM (descending node) sun-synchronous orbit. Upon arrival at Mars, however, the longitude of the descending node will be approximately 15 deg greater than the desired value. The baseline plan requires a 59 day `waiting' period for the correct solar orientation to occur. During this period, 28 days are required for scientific experimentation but the remaining 30.6 days potentially could be eliminated. The strategy developed in this study examined the possibility of using any `excess' Delta-V available at Mars arrival to rotate the node line to the desired value and thus allow mapping to begin earlier. A preliminary analysis completed prior to launch is described that examined the entire launch period including the required Delta-V to perform the needed nodal rotation. A more detailed study performed after launch is also summarized.

Pernicka, Henry J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Monte Carlo analysis of the Titan III/Transfer Orbit Stage guidance system for the Mars Observer mission

An important part of space launch vehicle mission planning for a planetary mission is the integrated analysis of guidance and performance dispersions for both booster and upper stage vehicles. For the Mars Observer mission, an integrated trajectory analysis was used to maximize the scientific payload and to minimize injection errors by optimizing the energy management of both vehicles. This was accomplished by designing the Titan III booster vehicle to inject into a hyperbolic departure plane, and the Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS) to correct any booster dispersions. An integrated Monte Carlo analysis of the performance and guidance dispersions of both vehicles provided sensitivities, an evaluation of their guidance schemes and an injection error covariance matrix. The polynomial guidance schemes used for the Titan III variable flight azimuth computations and the TOS solid rocket motor ignition time and burn direction derivations accounted for a wide variation of launch times, performance dispersions, and target conditions. The Mars Observer spacecraft was launched on 25 September 1992 on the Titan III/TOS vehicle. The post flight analysis indicated that a near perfect park orbit injection was achieved, followed by a trans-Mars injection with less than 2sigma errors.

Bell, Stephen C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Design of the unmanned Multiple Exploratory Probe System (MEPS) for Mars observations

The unmanned Multiple Exploratory Probe System (MEPS) is designed for Mars observations in preparation for manned missions to the planet early in the 21st century. MEPS will test vehicle systems, provide important data about the Martian surface and atmosphere, and assist the planning of manned missions. This mission will be a precursor to the manned missions. MEPS will consist of six primary systems. A Command Information Center (CIC) will be employed as an onboard mission control, communications link, and observation post. The Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) will be used to provide the thrust for Earth-Mars transit following vehicle construction near the Space Station. A polar lander/Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) will be deployed during transit to achieve a polar orbit about Mars. A secondary propulsion will be used to place MEPS into orbit about Mars; this system and the aerobrake will circularize the orbit. Following orbit circulation, a satellite will be deployed to observe the Martian surface and atmosphere and to study the space environment. Polar and equatorial lander systems will land on Mars with rovers to collect surface and atmospheric samples while on-board laboratories will provide initial sample study. Two solid rocket booster/payload vehicles will launch samples into a low Mars orbit. The OTV will rendezvous with each payload capsule and then transfer the samples to Earth for hands-on observation.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1988

Mars Observer - Science

The scientific objectives and experiments planned for the Mars Observer mission are discussed. Scientific instruments for the mission are described and illustrated, including a gamma-ray spectrometer, a visual and IR mapping spectrometer, a thermal emission spectrometer, an imaging camera, a radar altimeter and radiometer, a magnetometer, and a pressure modulate IR radiometer. Mission objectives include studying the global elemental and mineralogical character of the Martian surface, defining the topography and gravitational field, studying the atmospheric circulation, and determining the time and space distribution, abundance sources, and sinks of volatile material and dust over a seasonal cycle.

Albee, Arden L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Mars Observer spacecraft

The technical aspects of the spacecraft for the Mars Observer mission are discussed. The spacecraft development focuses on using existing flight subsystem designs and production techniques to offer a low-cost, reliable, production-type spacecraft. The scientific objectives of the mission and the scientific payloads of the spacecraft are considered. The spacecraft system and its performance are discussed. The subsystems are described in detail, including attitude and articulation control, electrical power supply, propulsion, structure, thermal control, command and data handling, telecommunications, mechanics, and flight software.

Potts, Dennis L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Mission Operations Data Analysis Tools for Mars Observer Guidance and Control

The focus of this paper is on the data analysis tools for the Mars Observer Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem (AACS). Four different categories of analysis tools are presented, with details offered for specific tools. These same tools, and extensions thereof, have been adopted by the Galileo mission operations, and are being designed into Cassini and other future spacecraft mission operations.

mission↗
NASA NTRS1995

Designing planetary protection into the Mars observer mission

Planetary protection has been an important consideration during the process of designing the Mars Observer mission. It affected trajectory design of both the interplanetary transfer and the orbits at Mars; these in turn affected the observation strategies developed for the mission. The Project relied mainly on the strategy of collision avoidance to prevent contamination of Mars. Conservative estimates of spacecraft reliability and Martian atmosphere density were used to evaluate decisions concerning the interplanetary trajectory, the orbit insertion phase at Mars, and operations in orbit at Mars and afterwards. Changes in the trajectory design, especially in the orbit insertion phase, required a refinement of those estimates.

Sweetser, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Thermal emission spectrometer experiment - Mars Observer mission

The paper describes the thermal emission spectrometer (TES) designed for the Mars Observer mission. The TES measurements of the surface and the atmosphere of Mars will be used to determine and map the composition of the surface rocks, minerals, and the condensates. Examples of information that will be obtained from TES data include mineral abundance maps, condensate properties and their distribution in time and space, aerosol properties and their distribution in time and space, the rock abundance, the polar energy balance, and properties of gaseous species. Where appropriate, these derived parameters will be distributed in the form of gridded map, to allow direct comparison with other derived data sets.

Christensen, Philip R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Mars Observer remote science operations

The objectives and the background of the Mars Observer mission are briefly reviewed with emphasis on the remote science operations portion of the mission. In particular, the discussion covers observational planning and instrument sequences, data retrieval, instrument health monitoring, and science analysis. Attention is also given to workstation technology utilization, science team, project data base, common data formats, and security.

Kahn, Peter B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The thumbprint terrain: What will Mars Observer tell us?

Some of the more puzzling features seen on Mars are those known as curvilinear features or 'thumb print' terrain, types of patterned ground found in the northern plains. The thumbprint terrain, named for its resemblance to the lines of a human thumbprint is found on what appears to be level, relatively low-lying ground near the crustal dichotomy boundary. It is often found near the termini of large channels. There are three types of thumbprint terrain in the classification of Rossbacher and Judson. The first consists of ridges and depressions about a kilometer wide, separated by a few kilometers, and with an apparent relief of 40-100 m. The second consists of steep-sided, flat-floored depressions about a kilometer wide, separated by a few kilometers, and with an apparent relief of 10-290 m. The third consists only of albedo markings, with a typical scale of about a kilometer. Many models were proposed to explain the origin of this terrain. It was suggested that it was caused by lava flows, removal of debris mantles, glaciers, or karst. However, the most popular models at present involve the action of subsurface ice to form such thermokarst features as striped ground, solifluction lobes, and/or linear, ice-cored ridges. There are several instruments on the Mars Observer spacecraft that will be able to provide us with information useful in distinguishing between these models.

Schaefer, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Mars Observer Propulsion and Pyrotechnics Corrective Actions Test Program Blanket Release

The Mars Observer Propulsion and Pyrotechnic Corrective Actions Test Program has been in progress at the NASA White Sands Test Facility since 1995. This program has developed capabilities to accurately characterize pyrovalve hazards and has established corrective actions that arc helping to preclude loss of spacecraft due to pyrovalve and propellant interaction. Rather than wait for conclusion of the test program, significant rest results, findings, and safety recommendations have been and will continue to be released soon after they became available to meet needs of near-term NASA and commercial space programs. This release will cover approximately three to five papers per year until program end.

Saulsberry, Regor L.↗