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Extreme Environment Simulation - Current and New Capabilities to Simulate Venus and Other Planetary BodiesScience, technology, and planetary mission communities have a growing interest in components and systems that are capable of working in extreme (high) temperature and pressure conditions. Terrestrial applications range from scientific research, aerospace, defense, automotive systems, energy storage and power distribution, deep mining and others. As the target environments get increasingly extreme, capabilities to develop and test the sensors and systems designed to operate in such environments will be required. An application of particular importance to the planetary science community is the ability for a robotic lander to survive on the Venus surface where pressures are nearly 100 times that of Earth and temperatures approach 500C. The scientific importance and relevance of Venus missions are stated in the current Planetary Decadal Survey. Further, several missions to Venus were proposed in the most recent Discovery call. Despite this interest, the ability to accurately simulate Venus conditions at a scale that can test and validate instruments and spacecraft systems and accurately simulate the Venus atmosphere has been lacking. This paper discusses and compares the capabilities that are known to exist within and outside the United States to simulate the extreme environmental conditions found in terrestrial or planetary surfaces including the Venus atmosphere and surface. The paper then focuses on discussing the recent additional capability found in the NASA Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER). The GEER, located at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is designed to simulate not only the temperature and pressure extremes described, but can also accurately reproduce the atmospheric compositions of bodies in the solar system including those with acidic and hazardous elements. GEER capabilities and characteristics are described along with operational considerations relevant to potential users. The paper presents initial operating results and concludes with a sampling of investigations or tests that have been requested or expected.
Document ID
20140013390
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kremic, Tibor
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Vento, Dan
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Lalli, Nick
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Palinski, Timothy
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Date Acquired
November 6, 2014
Publication Date
March 1, 2014
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Ground Support Systems And Facilities (Space)
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN11995
Meeting Information
Meeting: IEEE Aerospace Conference
Location: Big Sky, Mt
Country: United States
Start Date: March 1, 2014
End Date: March 8, 2014
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, PHM Society
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 526310.04.02.08
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Extreme Environment
Venus
Simulation
Test Facility
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