document title / titre du document TRP W ORK PLAN ... - emits - ESA

TRP Work Plan 2005-2007
Description of Activities
TEC-SB/7935/dc
12/Feb/09
3.10 - Aurora
TRP Reference: 03/E15
Title:
Experimental and theoretical study of Mars dust effects
In the frame of planetary exploration, a number of issues are related to presence of particles in the flow surrounding a probe
during its atmospheric entry. Three major situations can be addressed:
(1) For Mars and Earth entries in particular, the presence of dust or ice high altitude in the atmosphere.
(2) The particles (carbon etc ) produced by the ablation of the heat shield and/or by potential re-condensation of gases in
expansion regions.
(3) The potential presence of organic material (spores, cells ) transported by the flow and contaminating unprotected payloads
of the probe.
This last point is particularly important in the case of sample return exobiology missions.
The problems associated with the presence of the particles can be listed follows:
(1) Mechanical/thermal abrasion of the heat shield
(2) Increased convective fluxes linked to earlier flow transition turbulence
(3) Inclusion of additional chemical species in the flow
(4) Two phase flow
(5) Emission of radiation by the dust particles
(6) Electrostatic effects
(7) Potential chemical contamination of payload
(8) Potential biological contamination of payload
It is proposed to perform an experimental and numerical study to assess the problems abovementioned for exobiology and
Mars sample return missions of Aurora programme. The focus of the study will be on points 1, 2, 7 and 8: Assessment of the
influence of dust and particles on the transition, the mechanical and thermal loads of the heat shield as a first task,
assessment of contamination, and in particular of survival of biological samples in the hypersonic flow around a probe.
For each of the two tasks, a review of the literature and in particular of the work performed in the frame of ISTC 1549 shall be
performed, numerical approaches shall be selected, and facilities shall be identified for validation tests. A limited number of
test cases shall be set-up and the numerical and experimental methodology selected shall be applied to the test cases. An
effort shall be made to summarize the results and prepare engineering tools or correlations appropriate for design of future
Aurora missions.
Deliverables:
Technical note (experimental/numerical study, assessment of problems for exobiology/Mars sample return missions).
Current TRL: - Target TRL: TRL1 Application Need/Date: TRL5 by 2010
Application/Mission: exploration missions Contract Duration: 15 months
SW Clause : - Dossier0 Ref.: T-16
Consistency with Harmonisation
Roadmap and Conclusions:
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