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Mars Exploration Rover Heatshield Observation CampaignFor the first time ever, engineers were able to observe a heatshield on the surface of another planet after a successful entry through the atmosphere. A three-week heatshield observation campaign was conducted in December 2004 after the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity exited "Endurance Crater." By utilizing the rover's scientific instruments, data was collected to make a qualitative assessment of the performance of the heatshield. This data was gathered to gain a better understanding of how the heatshield performed during entry through the Martian atmosphere. In addition, this unprecedented look at the heatshield offered engineers the opportunity to assess if any unexpected anomalies occurred. Once a survey of the heatshield debris was completed, multiple targets of interest were chosen for the collection of imaging data. This data was then used to assess the char depth of the thermal protection material, which compared well with design and post-flight computational predictions. Extensive imaging data was collected and showed the main seal in pristine conditions, and no observable indications of structure overheating. Additionally, unexpected vehicle dynamics during the atmospheric entry were explained by the observation of thermal blanket remnants attached to the heatshield.
Document ID
20150006813
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
External Source(s)
Authors
Szalai, Christine E.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Thoma, Benjamin L.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Lee, Wayne J.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Maki, Justin N.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Willcockson, William H.
(Lockheed Martin Corp. Denver, CO, United States)
Venkatapathy, Ethiraj
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
White, Todd R.
(Engineering Research and Consulting, Inc. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
April 27, 2015
Publication Date
June 27, 2011
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Thermophysics Conference
Location: Honolulu, HI
Country: United States
Start Date: June 27, 2011
End Date: June 30, 2011
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Mars Exploration Rovers
heatsheild
Thermal Protection System (TPS)

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