Fluid loading effects for acoustical sensors in the atmospheres of Mars, Venus, Titan, and Jupiter

This paper shows that corrections for fluid loading must be undertaken to Earth-based calibrations for planetary probe sensors, which rely on accurate and precise predictions of mechanical vibrations. These sensors include acoustical instrumentation, and sensors for the mass change resulting from species accumulation upon oscillating plates. Some published designs are particularly susceptible (an example leading to around an octave error in the frequency calibration for Venus is shown). Because such corrections have not previously been raised, and would be almost impossible to incorporate into drop tests of probes, this paper demonstrates the surprising results of applying well-established formulations.