Open AccessSimulation of the Martian dust aerosol at low wind speeds
Author(s) -
Merrison J. P.,
Bertelsen P.,
Frandsen C.,
Gunnlaugsson P.,
Knudsen J. M.,
Lunt S.,
Madsen M. B.,
Mossin L. A.,
Nielsen J.,
Nørnberg P.,
Rasmussen K. R.,
Uggerhøj E.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2001je001807
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , martian , atmosphere of mars , environmental science , mars landing , martian surface , astrobiology , wind tunnel , aerosol , wind speed , exploration of mars , aerospace engineering , planet , meteorology , physics , astronomy , engineering
Performing realistic simulations is crucial for developing, testing, and subsequently analyzing results of experiments sent to the surface of Mars. A wind tunnel has been constructed, in which the atmospheric conditions of pressure and wind speed are controlled to match those observed by the Pathfinder mission to Mars. Injection into the wind tunnel of an analogue dust from Salten Skov in Denmark allows simulation of the Martian aerosol. Here experiments can be tested in preparation for a planned mission to the planet (Mars Exploration Rovers to be launched in 2003). Observations of adhesion and cohesion effects have been made in the wind tunnel, which are relevant to particle transport and of significance for validating the performance of specific experiments on Mars. Preliminary studies have been made, at Mars atmospheric pressure, of dust capture on magnet arrays similar to those flown on the Mars Pathfinder mission.