![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]()
Los Angeles - Jan 30, 2003 In May and June of this year, NASA will launch two Mars Exploration Rover (MER) spacecraft to the Red Planet. The process of getting these rovers ready for launch involves a complicated series of tests, trials and tribulations - all designed to insure a successful mission. One such test was completed on January 16, when engineers used the world's largest wind tunnel and an explosive mortar charge to successfully test MER's final flight-ready parachute design. Using the 80x120 ft. wind tunnel, a part of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex located at NASA's Ames Research Center, engineers from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Pioneer Aerospace conducted a series of experiments designed to test the strength of various parachute design options. For MER, like the 1997 Pathfinder mission, a parachute will deploy automatically during the spacecraft's descent through the Martian atmosphere. The testing of this system is vital to make sure the parachute can withstand opening at supersonic speeds (960 miles per hour or 1,550 km per hour) without sustaining damage. The mission can't just re-use the Pathfinder parachute design in part because MER is a heavier spacecraft. The parachute loads experienced by Pathfinder were approximately 8,000 pounds. MER loads will be over twice that, at 17,600 pounds. So, while the MER parachute may look similar to Pathfinder's, it is larger, made up of stronger materials and has slightly different dimensions - all of which require testing.
Why a Wind Tunnel Test? To better test the system, engineers needed an environment where they could more accurately control the wind speeds and forces working on the parachute - and that environment would have to be large enough to handle a 27 foot (8.2 meter) diameter parachute and its 79 foot (24 meter) lines. This is where the 80x120 ft. wind tunnel came into play. In the wind tunnel, engineers could dial in the desired wind velocity and be greeted with a steady stream of air at the exact speed required - the perfect setting for a parachute deploy test.
Earth Wind vs. Mars Wind
The Final Strength Test The canister was then mounted on a tall pedestal inside the wind tunnel. The winds were set to the proper speed and then an explosive mortar charge released the parachute into the wind stream. The parachute deployed to its full size in a matter of seconds without a hitch. Even though the deployment time at Mars will be much faster, the test proved that the parachute will be able to withstand the forces it encounters. Stay tuned as The Planetary Society brings you more updates on the upcoming MER mission. Be sure and visit the Society's Red Rover Goes to Mars site, where you have a chance to be a part of the MER team. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links The Planetary Society SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Lunar Dreams and more
![]() ![]() Last week Spirit completed robotic-arm work on "El Dorado." The rover used all three of its spectrometers plus the microscopic imager for readings over the New Year's weekend. |
![]() |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |