# Presentation: 424703

## Miniature Hydrate Sensor (HYDRA)

**Description:**
- Small, lightweight neutron spectrometer (481 g total)
- Detects hydrogenous materials:
- Water ice
- Rocks bearing hydrate minerals
- Near-subsurface water/hydrates

**FY03-FY05 Critical Milestones:**
**FY03** - Trade studies & detailed initial design
**FY04** - Assemble & field test prototypes v.1, v.2
**FY05** - Assemble & field test ‘engineering model’ v.3

**Funding Profile ($K):**

**Team Members:**
- 	Rick Elphic	PI
- 	David Lawrence	Co-I
- 	Tom Prettyman	Co-I
- 	Roger Wiens	Collaborator
- 	Bill Feldman	Collaborator
- 	Sangkoo Hahn	Lead Engineer
- 	Jake Archuleta	Mechanical Engineering

- Data Module

- Sensor Module

| FY03 | FY04 | FY05 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| $492K | $479K | $479K |

## FY’04 Milestones

**HYDRA field testing site preparation: COMPLETED in Oct. 2003**
- Field test #1 with lab electronics confirms calculations
**HYDRA prototype v.1 fab/assy/test: COMPLETED**
- Benchtop end-to-end testing completed May, 2004.
**HYDRA prototype v.1 initial field testing: COMPLETED**
- Field test #2 dem/val, end-to-end testing in field, June, 2004
- Field test #3 dem/val of science data utility, July 2004
- Experiment 1:  Approach/contact with rock, concrete, polyethylene
- Experiment 2:  Traverse over buried polyethylene slabs
**HYDRA redesign v.2 prototype: COMPLETED July, 2004**
- Smaller, lighter weight
**HYDRA v.2 prototype fab/assy/test:  IN PROGRESS**

## Technical Accomplishments

**HYDRA Prototype v.1 accomplishments: **
- Sensor module-data module-laptop(GSE) **end-to-end test**
**Field test #2** demonstration/validation of integrated instrument
- Revealed GSE (laptop) Labview software problem
**Field test #3** dem/val of science data utility
- Experiment 1:  Approach/contact with rock, concrete, polyethylene
- Experiment 2:  Traverse over buried polyethylene slabs
**HYDRA Prototype v.2 accomplishments:**
- Sensor module and data module re-designed (smaller Mg housing)
- V.2 data module fabricated/assembled
- V.2 sensor module in fabrication

- Data Module v.1

## Significant Events

**HYDRA field testing site preparation:**
- Permits controlled experiments.
- Buried polyethylene sheets mimic water ice.
- Radio-controlled mini-rover carries HYDRA across these features
- Array of burial sites permits study of depth and sheet thickness.
- Tests relevant to MSL application of HYDRA
- Comparison of
- 	Monte Carlo cal-
- 	culations and data

## Significant Events

**First end-to-end test of HYDRA prototype Version 1.**
- Sensor-to-data module cable harness
- Data module-to-laptop interface
- Laptop display software working
- _Importance_:  demonstrates HYDRA functionality
- Necessary milestone in development for _any_ spaceflight application
- LabView instrument control and data acquisition software:
- Instrument cmd/mode control
- Time series of singles
- Pulse height distribution
- State of Health

## Significant Events

**Significant Events**

**Successful Field Test of HYDRA Prototype Version 1. (Part 1)**
- Sensor & data modules on rover
- Cable harness to laptop
- Battery power supplied to HYDRA
- Importance:  demonstrates HYDRA contact science utility
- Background due to 2-4 wt% H2O.
- Huge effect due to 21 wt% H2O

- HYDRA approaching rock

- HYDRA contacting rock

**Data module**

**Sensor **
**module**

- Gypsum

- source

- source

- with rock

- without rock

## Significant Events

**Significant Events**

**Successful Field Test of HYDRA Prototype Version 1. Part 2**
- Traverse across buried poly
- Importance:  demonstrates HYDRA traverse/subsurface science utility
- Neutron source mimics MSL RTG
- Big effect due to buried “H2O”
- Figure shows traverse over three buried slabs, of different thickness
- Also shows effects of 2-4 wt% soil moisture content variations

**Data module**

**Sensor **
**module**

- source

## Plans for Next Quarter

**Finish prototype v.2 fab/assy and lab end-to-end testing**
**Carry out field testing**
- Quantitative approach/_contact_ science utility - models vs. data
- Compare _traverse_ data to simulations.
**Lessons learned:  v.1 and v.2 prototypes and redesign for v.3**

## Financial Status: Cost

## Financial Summary

**On track to complete 3 models, v.3 = engineering model **
**Current burn rate a little higher than FY04 allocation/12 months**
- April 2003 start, late funding, carried over FY03 funds
- FY04 development playing ‘catch-up’ because of late funding in FY03.

## Action Items/Issues/Concerns

**Issue - how to work a field test with Fido or K-9?**
- Requires neutron source