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
TRP Reference: 04/K35
Title:
Cleaning / sterilisation technologies
Future Mars exploration missions will call for the implementation of planetary protection policy and regulations. The ExoMars
of the Aurora programme will seek evidence of life through in situ investigations on the surface of Mars. A mission designed to
return the first Martian samples is also being studied.
One of the great challenges is to develop or find the adequate technologies that will make compliance with planetary
protection policy routine and affordable. Planetary protection is directed to:
- the control of microbial contamination associated with robotic space vehicles intended to land;
- the control of contamination of the Earth by extraterrestrial solar system material collected and returned by such missions.
A state-of-the-art survey will be first performed so as take stock of past relevant Russian and European experience gained in
the Mars 96 mission and Beagle 2 project regarding the compliance with planetary protection requirements. The aim of the
study is then to focus on technologies / techniques requiring additional development effort for possible implementation into the
future Mars exploration missions of Aurora programme. Special attention will be more particularly paid to cleaning / cleaning
validation of surfaces of S/C-payload elements to be sent to Mars or to be used in laboratories for specific testing.
The goal is to remove all types of contaminants like microorganisms, cells, and organic molecules to levels beyond the
sensitivity of the scientific instrument used for the detection of traces of life.
The activity will address cleaning procedures, equipment necessary to achieve the required cleanliness, instrumentation to
verify the cleanliness level achieved and handling and packaging procedures to maintain the required cleanliness level.
The purity of the surfaces may be achieved by using flashes of UV light at 7eV, ozone, detergent followed by a second
cleaning and inspection. The hardware should be designed to allow cleaning of all critical items to be in contact with soil and
detection tools and allow integration of this material in a protective envelope before flight. Sterilization techniques will also be
investigated for suits, laboratory cabinets, tools and containers.
Deliverables:
Preocess assessment note (cleaning procedures, necessary equipment necessary, verification instrumentation,
handling/packaging procedures to maintain the required cleanliness level).
Current TRL: TRL1 Target TRL: TRL3-4 Application Need/Date: TRL5 by 2008
Application/Mission: Exomars Contract Duration: 24 months
SW Clause : - Dossier0 Ref.: T-7718
Consistency with Harmonisation
Roadmap and Conclusions:
TRP Reference: 04/T45
Title:
Passive variable thermal conductance device for Mars rover applications
The primary task of the Thermal Control Subsystem is to guarantee that all satellite components can operate in a benign
thermal environment. In general, in order to maintain the units within allowable temperature limits regardless of varying
external conditions and unit operating mode, the radiator is sized for hot case operation and sufficient heater power has to be
allocated in the other cases. However, power is a limited resource for a spacecraft and needs to be properly allocated among
the subsystems. In the USA R&D in the field of thermal control has focused on developing novel techniques to effectively keep
the temperature of electronics within the required limits while reducing spacecraft power requirements. A paraffin-actuated
heat switch as part of the thermal-control system for the battery on board a Mars rover has been developed and qualified. A
heat switch is a variable thermal conductance device, which is mounted between a dissipating component and a cold sink.
The temperature of electronics is passively controlled by the variation in conductance of the switch: the higher the power
dissipation, the higher the thermal conductance. This allows the removal of excess heat from dissipating units when
necessary, while the reduction in conductance prevents the electronics to get too cold.
The goal of this activity is to develop a lightweight heat switch device for passively controlling the temperature of dissipating
units.
Deliverables:
High performance thermal switch at breadboard level (design, manufacturing and testing).
Current TRL: TRL2 Target TRL: TRL5 Application Need/Date: TRL5 by 2008
Application/Mission: Exomars rover Contract Duration: 18 months
SW Clause : - Dossier0 Ref.: T-7716
Consistency with Harmonisation
Roadmap and Conclusions:
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