SEARCH · Engineering Papers
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.
Critical measurements relative to interior structure which can be made during a spacecraft mission to Uranus are discussed. Models of atmospheric composition, possible magnetic moment, and gravitational harmonics are described, and it is shown that high quality imaging of the atmospheric rotation and determination of the possible magnetic field rotation will facilitate construction of an accurate model of the interior structure of the planet.
Understanding the interior structures of icy moons is pivotal for addressing their origins and habitability. We introduce an approach employing the gravity field spectrum as an additional constraint for the inversion of differentiated icy bodies' interior structures. After developing the general methodology, we apply it to Europa, utilizing the predicted measurement capability of NASA's Europa Clipper mission, and we prove its effectiveness in resolving key geophysical parameters. Notably, we show that using the gravity field spectrum in combination with the mass and moment of inertia of the body allows us to estimate, depending on the considered end-member interior structure, the hydrosphere thickness with 4–20 km uncertainty and reliably determine the seafloor maximum topographic range and elastic thickness to within 100–600 m and 5–15 km, respectively, together with the power–degree relationship of the seafloor topography. We also show that the proposed method allows us to determine the density of the silicate mantle and the radius of the core to within 0.25 g cc −1 and 50 km, respectively.
Scientific studies using spacecraft radio links have been conducted on almost every Solar System exploration mission in the past five decades and have led to numerous discoveries. Radio Science experiments have elucidated the thermal history of the Moon from high resolution gravitational field measurements, unveiled the interiors of Titan, Enceladus, Mercury, Phobos, Vesta and Ceres providing key evidence for identifying subsurface oceans on icy moons; sounded Titan, Saturn, and Pluto’s atmospheres, and refined models for the atmospheres, surfaces, and interior structure of Mars and Venus. A Juno experiment is in progress measuring the gravitational field of Jupiter to reveal its interior structures, as did a similar recent Cassini experiment with Saturn. Experiments at Mercury, the Jovian system, and other targets, are in development or planning phases. Over the next 30 years, significant advances in radio and laser link-science technologies, including nearly one order of magnitude improvement achievable in range-rate and range accuracy, could enable many new scientific breakthroughs. Future exploration concepts in many cases focus on applications of small spacecraft and can include spacecraft constellations for studies of atmospheric dynamics, interior structures, and surface properties. A set of science-enabling radio link technologies specific to small spacecraft instrumentation on future solar system missions are under study and development. Examples include field tests of radio scattering to determine soil properties, smallsat constellations for dense geographic and temporal atmospheric probing, small science-quality software-defined transponders, miniature ultra-stable oscillators, and advanced radio-metric calibrations at the Deep Space Network. This paper describes many of these technologies and their scientific applications.
A device denoted as a bumper assembly for a spacecraft payload container comprises an interior structure surrounded by skin or some other protective enclosure (see figure). When arranged with three or more like assemblies, this bumper assembly is designed to secure the interior structure within a payload s protective enclosure during the stresses endured in flight and, if required, recovery of the payload. Furthermore, proper use of this innovation facilitates the ability of designers and engineers to maximize the total placement area for components, thus increasing utilization of very valuable and limited space.
We use the shape and gravity field of Vesta determined from observations of the Dawn spacecraft to place constraints on the asteroid's interior structure. We compute a three-layer interior structure model by minimizing the power of the residual gravity anomaly. The densities of the mantle and crust are based on constraints derived from the Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite (HED) meteorites. Vesta's present-day shape is not in hydrostatic equilibrium. The Rheasilvia and Veneneia impact basins have a large effect on Vesta's shape and are the main source of deviation from hydrostatic shape. Constraining a pre-giant-impact rotation rate and orientation of the spin axis from an ellipsoidal fit to the parts of Vesta unaffected by the giant impacts, and using the theory of figure, we can constrain the shape of the core. Our solution for Vesta's crust-mantle interface reveals a belt of thick crust around Rheasilvia and Veneneia. The thinnest crust is in the floor of the two basins and in the Vestalia Terra region. Our solution does not reveal an uplift of the crust-mantle boundary to the surface in the largest basins. This, together with the lack of olivine detected by the Visible and Infrared Spectrometer (VIR) data in Rheasilvia and Veneneia, indicates that Vesta's presumed olivine mantle was either not brought to the surface by these large impacts or was covered by ejecta from subsequent impacts.
The principal observational data that constrain interior models of Saturn are summarized, and why they are relevant is explained. The behavior of hydrogen, Saturn's major constituent, at pressures on the order of 0.1 to 10 Mbar and temperatures on the order of 10,000 K, is discussed. Possible behavior and distributions of minor constituents are also considered, along with processes for their transport. Saturn's external gravitational and magnetic fields are interpreted in terms of interior structure, and the relationship between atmospheric zonal flows and the deep interior is discussed. The constraint imposed by tidal evolution considerations is evaluated. Calculations for the thermal evolution of Saturn are presented, both with and without consideration of possible gravitational unmixing. Possible scenarios for Saturn's mode of origin and their implications for presently observed atmospheric abundances are discussed.
No abstract available
The complex dynamics of the Venus atmosphere produces a periodic mass redistribution pattern that creates a time-variable modulation of the gravity field of Venus. This gravity signal depends on the net transport of mass across the globe and on the response of the solid body to the normal loading of its crust imparted by the atmosphere. In this work, we explore the possibility of measuring this phenomenon with VERITAS, a NASA Discovery-class mission. By simulating the gravity science experiment, we explore the possibility of measuring the response of Venus to the atmospheric loading, parametrized by the loading Love numbers ( 𝑘 𝑙 ' ), and assess the dependence of these parameters on fundamental interior structure properties. Using the most recent models of Venus' interior, we compute the Venus Love numbers in a compressible viscoelastic setting and compare them with the predicted uncertainty of the VERITAS measurements. We show that VERITAS will measure 𝑘 2 ' at the 4% level and that this measurement could possibly help to distinguish between different equally plausible interior structure models, especially allowing us to distinguish different rheological laws. We also show that a measurement campaign such as the VERITAS gravity science investigation has the potential of measuring 𝑘 2 ' not only at the loading forcing frequency, but also at the tidal frequency, ultimately providing a way to probe the response of the planet at different forcing periods.
Key measurements are discussed which are diagnostic of Uranus' interior structure and evolutionary history, and reviews their present status. Typical interior models have chondritic cores, but have the bulk of their mass in an envelope consisting of ice component, principally H2O. The total amount of free H2 in the planet cannot exceed approximately 1 to 2 earth masses. Measurements of the gravitational moments of Uranus are beginning to be accurate enough to constrain models, but are limited in utility by uncertainty in the rotation period. Discussed is evidence that the outermost planetary layers have a gravitationally significant quantity of denser material (ice component?) in addition to H2 and He. The He/H ratio and the deuterium abundance in the atmosphere may be diagnostic of the planet's previous evolutionary history. It is argued that the planet's interior is likely to now be at a temperature approximately 10(3) deg K. Uranus' interior with Neptune's in a number of ways, considering heat flow, degree of internal differentiation, and possible magnetic field.
Using relatively simple interior models and a fourth-order theory of figures, it is found that there are basically two extremes of interior structure which agree with current gravity data. One extreme is a 'solar'-composition envelope with 10 to 15 earth masses of heavy material in a core; the other extreme has nearly uniform 'solar' composition but with approximately an additional 30 earth masses of heavy material distributed essentially uniformly. Thus, Jupiter is not of 'solar' composition. It is shown how additional gravity data and improvement in knowledge of the molecular hydrogen equation of state will permit a significant reduction in the number of possible models.
The six sensors of SEIS (The Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure) [- one of three primary instruments on NASA's Mars Lander Insight] cover a broad range of the seismic bandwidth, from 0.01 hertz to 50 hertz, with possible extension to longer periods. Data are transmitted in the form of three continuous VBB (Very Broad-Band) components at 2 samples per second (sps), an estimation of the short period (SP) energy content from the SP at 1 sps, and a continuous compound VBB/SP vertical axis at 10 sps. The continuous streams are augmented by requested event data with sample rates from 20 to 100 sps. SEIS data products are downlinked from the spacecraft in raw CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) packets and converted to both the Standard for the Exchange of Earthquake Data (SEED) format files and ASCII tables (GeoCSV) for analysis and archiving. Metadata are available in dataless SEED and StionXML. Time series data (waveforms) are available in miniseed and GeoCSV. Data are distributed according to FDSN (Federation of Digital Seismograph Networks - http://www.fdsn.org) formats and interfaces. Wind, pressure and temperature data from the Auxiliary Payload Sensor Suite (APSS) will also be available in SEED format, and can be used for decorrelation and diagnostic purposes on SEIS.
Fitting models to the external gravity field of the major planets (Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn), it is found that certain interior characteristics may be common to all four. For Uranus and Neptune, a model with a central iron-silicate core of approximately four earth masses, an 'ice' layer of H2O, CH4, and NH3 in solar proportions of about 10 earth masses, and an H2-He atmosphere of about 1-2 earth masses gives a good fit to available constraints, including heat flow measurements. Models of Jupiter and Saturn have cores very similar to those of Uranus and Neptune; the H2-He layer, however, is markedly more extensive. Modes of origin that are consistent with these features are discussed. Models of this type predict a considerable enrichment of deuterium relative to primordial solar abundances in Uranus and Neptune. Such enrichment is not observed in Uranus; implications are discussed for interior structure and origin.
The physical processes to be probed by experiments may be grouped as large scale flows, oscillations, and chromospheric/coronal diagnostics. While the fundamental concerns and observational equipments are similar within each class, different investigations may tell different things about the Sun. Observational requirements are listed for experiments to study (1) plasma-magnetic field interactions; (2) interior structure via oscillations; (3) chromospheric and coronal tracers; (4) rotation, meridional flows, and giant cells; (5) the depth dependence of rotation; (6) EUV luminosity; (7) intensity fluctuations and tracers; and (8) diameter oscillations, the effects of noise and timestring on experiment results are assessed.
What is already known about the structure of the Sun, the motion of its convective zone, and the solar cycle is reviewed. Topics discussed include solar variability, solar 'seismology', velocity patterns, magnetic fields, and the dynamo theory. Observations are needed to determine global properties (solar luminosity and radius), oscillations (p and g models), velocities (variation of rotation with time and depth), and magnetic fields.
Magellan radar data show the surface of Venus to contain a wide range of geologic features (large volcanoes, extensive rift valleys, etc.). Although networks of interconnecting zones of deformation are identified, a system of spreading ridges and subduction zones like those that dominate the tectonic style of the Earth do not appear to be present. In addition, the absence of a mantle low-viscosity zone suggests a strong link between mantle dynamics and the surface. As a natural follow-on to the Magellan mission, establishing a network of seismometers on Venus will provide detailed quantitative information on the large scale interior structure of the planet. When analyzed in conjunction with image, gravity, and topography information, these data will aid in constraining mechanisms that drive surface deformation.
Understanding the processes that led Venus to its current state and will drive its future evolution is a major objective of the next generation of orbiters. In this work we analyze the retrieval of the spin vector, the tidal response and the moment of inertia of Venus with VERITAS, a NASA Discovery-class mission. By simulating a systematic joint analysis of Doppler tracking data and tie points provided by the onboard synthetic aperture radar we show that VERITAS will provide accuracies (3σ) in the estimates of the tidal Love number k_2 to 4.6×10^(-4), its tidal phase lag to 0.05°, and the moment of inertia factor to 9.8×10^(-4) (0.3% of the expected value). Applying these results to recent models of the Venus interior, we show that VERITAS will provide much improved constraints on the interior structure of the planet.
Models of the Jovian interiors are based on theoretical equations of state of hydrogen and helium supported by a few experimental points and an observed parameter such as oblateness, gravitational coefficients, heat emission, and magnetic fields. The models fall into three categories: (1) those which assume a uniform and rather low H2/He ratio throughout the planet, (2) those in which this ratio is solar and thus higher and (3) those which take into account the lack of complete miscibility of the two elements in the condensed state. Recent values of the observed parameters obtained by Pioneer 10 permit improvements of the first two models but also pose new questions. In the first category of models the new data indicate that the amount of hydrogen has to be increased, while in the solar models which have a heavy core (made of SiO2, MgO, Fe and Ni), the abundance of hydrogen has to be decreased, both changes pointing in the direction of incomplete miscibility present in the third category of models.
Models of the Jovian interiors based on theoretical equations of state of hydrogen and helium supported by a few experimental points and on observed parameters such as oblateness, gravitational coefficients, heat emission, magnetic fields, are discussed. The models fall into three categories: (1) those that assume a uniform and rather low H2/He ratio throughout the planet; (2) those in which this ratio is solar and thus higher; and (3) those that take into account the lack of complete miscibility of the two elements in the condensed state. It appears now also that within the limits of error the planet is in a hydrostatic equilibrium. The large heat emission and the need for an efficient source of internal heat are confirmed, but the results do not indicate which one of the various possible mechanisms is favored, although new evolutionary models suggest that the primordial heat may be insufficient. A new red spot has been discovered. Finally, the presence of a highly eccentric and inclined magnetic field poses new problems related to the pattern of internal convection and to the possibility of a north-south asymmetry of the interior. Further analysis of the available data may throw additional light on these questions.