NASA / TM--2001-210935

Mars Transportation Environment

Definition Document

M. Alexander, Editor

Marshall Space Flight Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama

March 2001
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NASA/TM--2001-210935

Mars Transportation Environment

Definition Document

M. Alexander, Editor

Marshall Space Flight Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Marshall Space Flight Center • MSFC, Alabama 35812

March 2001
Acknowledgments

The compilers of this technical memorandum wish to thank William L. Eoff of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Space

Transportation Directorate, Advanced Concepts Department, Exploration Transportation Team, for his support and encouragement in the preparation of this document. The compilers also wish to thank William J. Kauffman, Jr. of the NASA Space

Environments and Effects program for partial support in developing sections 2 and 4.

Available from:

NASA Center for AeroSpace Information

7121 Standard Drive

Hanover, MD 21076-1320

(301) 621-0390

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

(703) 487-4650

ii
Preface

"A day on Mars is a little longer than a day on Earth: 24 hours and 40 minutes. A

year on Mars is less than two Earth years: 686 Earth days, or 668 Martian days. Mars is

6,787 kilometers in diameter, compared to Earth's 12,756 kilometers. Its gravitational

acceleration is 3.71 meters per second squared, or just over one-third of Earth's. The

atmospheric pressure at the surface of Mars averages 5.6 millibars, about one-half of one

percent of Earth's. The atmosphere is largely composed of carbon dioxide.

Temperatures at "datum" or reference surface level (there is no "sea level", as there are

presently no seas) vary from -130 ° to +27 ° Celsius. An unprotected human on the

surface of Mars would very likely freeze within minutes, but first would die of exposure

to the near-vacuum. If this unfortunate human survived freezing and low pressure, and

found a supply of oxygen to breathe" [and water to drink], "she would still be endangered

by high levels of radiation from the sun and elsewhere.

"After Earth, Mars is the most hospitable planet in the Solar System."

- Greg Bear, Moving Mars, Tom Doherty Associates, New York, 1993

iii
Contributors

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Robin Evans (MS 183-900)

Dr. Henry B. Garrett (MS 301-456)

Dr. Matthew P. Golombek (MS 183-501)

robin.evans@,.ipl.nasa.gov

henry, garrett_i 191.nasa. gov

matt.golombek@j 191.nasa. gov

NASA Langley Research Center

Dr. John Wilson (MS 188B) john.w.wilson@larc.nasa.gov

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Margaret Alexander (ED44)

Dr. William Cooke (ED44/CSC)

Belinda Hardin (ED44/CSC)

Bonnie James (TD 15)

Dale Johnson (ED44)

Dr. C. G. Justus (ED44/CSC)

Dr. Rob Suggs (ED44)

Lisa Tyree (ED44/CSC)

margaret.alexander@msfc.nasa.gov

bill.cooke@msfc.nasa.gov

belinda.hardin@msfc.nasa.gov

bonnie.iames@msfc.nasa.gov

dale.johnson@msfc.nasa.gov

iere.iustus@msfc.nasa.gov

rob.sul_;s(_,msfc.nasa.gov

lisa.tyree@msfc.nasa.gov

iv
Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1-1

1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 1-1

1.3 Mars-Earth Comparisons ................................................................................................. 1-1

1.3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1- 1

1.3.2 Orbit and Climate ...................................................................................................... 1- 1

1.3.3 Dust Storms ............................................................................................................... 1-2

1.3.4 Nominal Density Profiles .......................................................................................... 1-3

1.4 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 1-3

1.5 References ........................................................................................................................ 1-4

2.0 INTERPLANETARY SPACE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................ 2-1

2.1 Mission Trajectories ......................................................................................................... 2-1

2.2 Ionizing Radiation Environment ...................................................................................... 2-2

2.2.1 Solar Proton Event Environment ............................................................................... 2-2

2.2.2 Solar Proton Event Heavy Ion Model ....................................................................... 2-5

2.2.3 Galactic Cosmic Ray Heavy Ions .............................................................................. 2-7

2.3 Meteoroid Environment ................................................................................................... 2-8

2.3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2-8

2.3.2 Model Limitations ...................................................................................................... 2-8

2.3.3 Fluence and Flux ..................................................................................................... 2-12

2.3.4 Meteor Streams Near Mars ..................................................................................... 2-13

2.3.5 Spacecraft Strike Probability .................................................................................. 2-13

2.4 Solar Radiation and Thermal Environments .................................................................. 2-14

2.4.1 Near Earth ............................................................................................................... 2-14

2.4.2 Interplanetary .......................................................................................................... 2-14

2.4.3 Mars Orbit ............................................................................................................... 2-14

2.5 References ...................................................................................................................... 2-14

3.0 MARS ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................... 3-1

3.1 Climatology ..................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.1 Orbit .......................................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.2 Atmosphere ................................................................................................................ 3-1

3.1.3 Thermal Conditions ................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1.4 Near Surface Climate ................................................................................................ 3-1

3.1.5 Density and Temperature Profiles ............................................................................. 3-3

3.2 Surface Air Temperature .................................................................................................. 3-5

3.2.1 Temperature Range ................................................................................................... 3- 5

3.2.2 Dust Storm Effects ..................................................................................................... 3-8

3.3 Surface Air Pressure ........................................................................................................ 3-8

3.3.1 Dust Storm Effects ..................................................................................................... 3-8

3.3.2 Polar Influence on Seasonal Changes ....................................................................... 3-9

3.4 Surface Wind and Dust Storms ...................................................................................... 3-10

3.4.1 Topographic Influence on Wind .............................................................................. 3-10

3.4.2 Dust Storms and Wind ............................................................................................. 3-10
Table of Contents (continued)

3.5

3.5.1

3.5.2

3.5.3

3.5.4

3.5.5

Atmospheric Dust and Effects on Landing and Launch Vehicles ................................. 3-11

Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3-11

Dust Storm Occurrence ........................................................................................... 3-13

Surface Phenomena ................................................................................................. 3-16

Engineering Properties ........................................................................................... 3-17

Electric Power Generation .......................................................................... 3-17

3.6 Dust Effects on Temperature and Density ......................................................... 3-19

3.6.1 Temperature and Winds ............................................................................... 3-19

3.6.2 Dust Effects on Density ................................................................................ 3-19

3.7 Density Waves at Aerobraking Altitudes .......................................................... 3-23

3.8 Solar Influence on Mars Atmosphere ................................................................ 3-23

3.8.1 Solar Wind ................................................................................................... 3-23

3.8.2 Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) .......................................................................... 3-25

3.8.3 Ionosphere .................................................................................................... 3-26

3.9 References .......................................................................................................... 3-26

4.0 MARS SURFACE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Principal Surface Features ............................................................................................... 4-1

4.1.1 Global Topography ................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1.2 Geomorphology ......................................................................................................... 4-2

4.1.3 Surface Topography and Gravity .............................................................................. 4-2

4.2 Regolith Composition and Characteristics ......................................................................... 4-4

4.2.1 Martian Terrain ......................................................................................................... 4-4

4.2.2 Crater Density ........................................................................................................... 4-4

4.2.3 Soil Properties ........................................................................................................... 4-5

4.2.4 Tribology ................................................................................................................... 4-7

4.2.5 Chemical Composition .............................................................................................. 4-8

4.2.6 Seismic Activity .......................................................................................................... 4-8

4.2.7 Sub-Surface Ice and Water ........................................................................................ 4-9

4.3 Surface Physical Characteristics ...................................................................................... 4-9

4.3.1 Rock and Boulder Size-Frequency Distribution ........................................................ 4-9

4.3.2 Albedo and Thermal Inertia Relation ...................................................................... 4-12

4.3.3 Thermal Inertia ........................................................................................................ 4-12

4.3.4 Albedo ...................................................................................................................... 4-14

4.4 Radar Observations ........................................................................................................ 4-14

4.4.1 Normal Reflectivity ........ i......................................................................................... 4-14

4.4.2 Root-Mean-Square Slope ........................................................................................ 4-15

4.5 Mars Surface Ionizing Radiation Environment Definition ............................................ 4-16

4.5.1 Particle Fluence Spectra ......................................................................................... 4-16

4.5.2 Dose to Electronic Devices and Surface Coatings .................................................. 4-21

4.5.3 Single Event Effects Environment .......................... ................................................. 4-21

4.6 Solar Radiation at Mars Surface .................................................................................... 4-28

4.6.1 Ultraviolet (UIO Flux .............................................................................................. 4-28

4.6.2 Visible and Infrared Radiation ................................................................................ 4-29

4.7 References ...................................................................................................................... 4-29

vi
Table of Contents (concluded)

eage

5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................ 5-1

5.1 Interplanetary Environment Effects ................................................................................. 5-1

5.2 Atmospheric Environment Effects ................................................................................... 5-1

5.3 Mars Surface Environment Effects .................................................................................. 5-1

5.4 Recommendations for Future Work ................................................................................. 5-2

5.4.1

5.4.2

5.4.3

5.4.4

5.4.5

5.4.6

5.4.7

5.4.8

5.5

Meteor Streams .......................................................................................................... 5-2

Meteoroid Flux in Mars Atmosphere and at Surface ................................................ 5-2

Mars Surface lonizing Radiation ............................................................................... 5-2

Mars Ionosphere and Radio Propagation ................................................................. 5-2

Triboelectric Charging Effects .................................................................................. 5-2

Atmospheric Circulation and Wind Systems ............................................................. 5-3

Summary and Availability of Mars Environmental Models ...................................... 5-3

Technical Glossary and Index ................................................................................... 5-3

References ........................................................................................................................ 5-3

Appendix A A- 1

Appendix B ........................................................................................................................... B-1

vii
List of Illustrations

Title eaae

I-I

2-I

2-2

2-3

2-4

2-5

2-6

3-I

3-2

3-3a

3-3b

3-4

3-5

3-6

3-7

3-8

3-9

Comparison of nominal atmospheric density versus height for Earth

and Mars ............................................................................................................. 1-3

Orbits assumed for a Manned Mars Mission starting on 25 January

2014, reach Mars on 22 July 2014 ...................................................................... 2-1

95 percent probability SPE fluences for the 3 segments and total

mission ................................................................................................................ 2-4

Plot of Table 2-3.95 percent probability SPE dose for 3 segments and

total mission ........................................................................................................ 2-5

Heavy ion flux for 99th percentile SPE and 90 percent worst case

GCR background flux as functions of shielding and LET at 1 AU .................... 2-8

Integral Mars meteoroid fluences for the 3-mission segments and the

total as functions of meteoroid mass. Units for fluence are number

per square meter for the time interval of the segment ....................................... 2-11

Integral Mars meteoroid fluences for the 3-mission segments and the

total by velocity. Units for fluence are number per square meter for

the time interval of the segment ........................................................................ 2-12

Models of the Daily Temperature Fluctuations of the Martian Surface

as a Function of Latitude .................................................................................... 3-2

Diurnal Variation in Atmospheric Temperature Measured by

Thermocouples on the Pathfinder Mast .............................................................. 3-3

Observed Density of the Mars Atmosphere Versus Altitude for the

Viking and Pathfinder Missions .......................................................................... 3-4

Observed Temperature of the Mars Atmosphere Versus Altitude for

the Viking and Pathfinder Missions .................................................................... 3-5

First few days of surface air temperature measured by Mars

Pathfinder lander (c.f. Schofield, et ai., 1997). Solid curve is from

Mars-Global Reference Atmospheric Model ...................................................... 3-6

Daily maximum (a) and daily minimum (b) surface air temperature as

a function of latitude and season ......................................................................... 3-7

Maximum, average, and minimum surface air temperature measured

by the Viking 1 lander. Effects of dust storms 1977a and 1977b are

evident ................................................................................................................. 3-8

Variations of surface air pressure measured by Viking landers 1 and 2 ............. 3-9

Occurrence and magnitude of Mars global dust storms (indicated by

arrows) as a function of season (angle Ls) with a plot of dust optical

depth measured by Viking landers .................................................................... 3-11

Relative Size Distribution of Airborne Dust Particles ...................................... 3-12

viii
3-10

3-11

3-12

3-13

3-14

3-15

3-16

3-17

3-18

3-19

3-20

3-21

3-22

4-I

4-2

4-3

4-4

4-5

4-6

4-7

4-8

List of Illustrations (continued)

Title Pa_e

Graphs of seasonal indices for yellow clouds (solid line; left-hand

scale) and probability of observing them (dotted line; right-hand

scale) ................................................................................................................. 3-15

Local dust storms detected by the Viking orbiters ............................................ 3-16

Martian Landscape Viewed by the Mars Pathfinder Lander ............................ 3-17

Transmission of the Mars Atmosphere From 0.2 to 1.2 Micrometers .............. 3-18

Dust Coverage of the Sojourner Rover Solar Array ......................................... 3-19

Effects of the regional-scale Noachis dust storm on temperature over a

four day period measured by ground-based microwave techniques ................. 3-20

Dust-storm-induced changes in atmospheric density over the same

period as Figure 3-15 ........................................................................................ 3-21

Effects of the Noachis dust storm on atmospheric pressure at 6 l-km

altitude (ground-based microwave data) and at 126 km (MGS

accelerometer data) ........................................................................................... 3-22

Atmospheric densities measured at various times of day and seasons

by Viking, Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor under relatively

dust-free conditions ........................................................................................... 3-22

Longitude-dependent waves of atmospheric density observed by Mars

Global Surveyor on successive periapsis passes for orbits 946-997 ................. 3-23

Location of Mars bow shock observed by Mars Global Surveyor .................... 3-24

Exospheric temperature for Mars versus 10.7 cm radio noise flux

adjusted to Mars orbital position ....................................................................... 3-25

Ion density profiles in Mars dayside ionosphere .............................................. 3-26

Mars Topography from MGS MOLA Experiment ............................................. 4-1

Mars topography as represented by the 16 x 16 field of Bills and

Ferrari (1978) ...................................................................................................... 4-3

Mars geoid deduced from the gravity model of Balmino et al. (1982)

truncated to 16 x 16 ............................................................................................ 4-3

Distribution of Martian craters with diameters greater than 15 km .................... 4-4

Pole-to-pole cross section of the Martian crust showing latitudinal

variation in depth of 273 K melting isotherm and 198 K frost point

isotherm .............................................................................................................. 4-9

Histogram showing number of rocks of each diameter (measured to

nearest centimeter) at Viking Lander 1 site ...................................................... 4-10

Histogram showing number of rocks of each diameter (measured to

nearest centimeter) at Vikinig Lander 2 site ..................................................... 4-10

Cumulative Fraction of Area Covered by Rocks Versus Rock

Diameter at Pathfinder and Viking Landing Sites for Model

Predictions ........................................................................................................ 4- I 1

ix
4-10

4-11

4-12

4-13

4-14

4-15

4-16

4-17

4-18

4-19

4-20

4-21

4-22

4-23

4-24

List of Illustrations (concluded)

Title Pace

Cumulative Fraction of Area Covered by Rocks Versus Rock Height

at Pathfinder and Viking Landing Sites for Model Predictions ........................ 4-11

Mars surface thermal inertia versus albedo. The size of each dot gives

the number of 2° x 2° latitude-longitude bins which have a given

combination of albedo and thermal inertia ....................................................... 4-12

Relationship between Thermal Inertia and Size of Cohensionless

Particles Hypothetical Relationship Between Thermal Inertia and

Cohesive or Cemented Soil-like Materials and Rock ....................................... 4-13

Mars Surface Thermal Inertia Map (10 .3 cal/cm2slaK) .................................... 4-13

Relationship between Normal Reflectivity and Bulk Density of Dry

Soil-like Materials and Rock Based on Results for Lunar Rocks and

Soil .................................................................................................................... 4-15

The 1977 solar minimum galactic cosmic annual integral fluence

spectra for various charge groups ..................................................................... 4-17

The 1980 solar maximum galactic cosmic annual integral fluence

spectra for various charge groups ..................................................................... 4-18

The September 29, 1989 solar particle event integral fluence spectra

for various charge groups .................................................................................. 4-18

Comparison of HZETRN with measurements with a tissue equivalent

proportional counter on STS-57 ........................................................................ 4-19

Integral spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by the

1977 solar minimum galactic cosmic rays ........................................................ 4-20

Integral spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by the

1980 solar maximum galactic cosmic rays ....................................................... 4-20

Integral spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by the

September 29, 1989 solar particle event ........................................................... 4-21

Integral LET spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by

the 1977 solar minimum galactic cosmic rays .................................................. 4-24

Integral LET spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by

the 1980 solar maximum galactic cosmic rays ................................................. 4-27

Integral LET spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced

by the September 29, 1989 solar particle event 4-27

UV radiation incident at the top of the Mars atmosphere and at the

surface versus wavelength and season .............................................................. 4-28
List of Tables

Table Title Pa_e

1-1

2-1

2-2

2-3

2-4

2-5

2-6

2-7

2-8

3-1

3-2

4-1

4-2

4-3

4-4

4-5

4-6

4-7

4-8

4-9

Comparison of Mars with Earth .......................................................................... 1-2

Orbit segments considered for Mars mission study ............................................ 2-2

95 percent probability SPE fluences for the 3 segments and total

mission ................................................................................................................ 2-3

95 percent probability SPE doses for 3 segments and total mission

based on the fluences in Table 2-2 ...................................................................... 2-4

Integral heavy ion flux versus LET at 1 AU for a single 99th

percentile SPE behind a 4n spherical aluminum shield ...................................... 2-6

GCR heavy ion fluxes versus LET behind an Aluminum spherical

shield (4n) for an Adams' 90 percent worst-case environment ........................... 2-7

Interplanetary meteoroid fluences (particles m2) for the 3-orbit

segments presented in Fig. 2-1. The Mars Orbit segment is at an

altitude of 200 km ............................................................................................... 2-9

Interplanetary meteoroid fluences (particles m 2) for the complete

mission in Fig. 2-1 ............................................................................................ 2-10

Comet close passages to Mars in the near future. Additional meteor

shower dates may be calculated by adding or subtracting multiples of

687 days from the dates given .......................................................................... 2-13

Classification of Martian Dust Storms .............................................................. 3-14

Predictions of Martian Dust Storms for Mars Observer Mission ..................... 3-15

Characterization of the Martian Surface Deposits by the Mars

Pathfinder Rover, Sojourner ............................................................................... 4-6

Material Properties of the Martian Surface ......................................................... 4-7

Properties of Possible Martian Material Analogs ............................................... 4-7

Chemical Properties of Martian Materials .......................................................... 4-8

Predicted Recurrence Interval for Seismic Events on Mars ................................ 4-9

Annual dose in silicon inside a spherical shell shield of equivalent

aluminum on the Martian surface during the 1977 solar minimum .................. 4-22

Annual dose in silicon inside a spherical shell shield of equivalent

aluminum on the Martian surface during the 1980 solar maximum ................. 4-22

Dose in silicon inside a spherical shell shield of equivalent aluminum

on the Martian surface during the September 29, 1989 solar particle

event .................................................................................................................. 4-22

Annual fluence spectra of LET in silicon within spherical shells of

equivalent aluminum shielding on the Martian surface during 1977

solar minimum .................................................................................................. 4-23

xi
List of Tables (concluded)

Table Title Page

4-10

4-11

A-1

A-2

A-3

A-4

A-5

A-6

A-7

A-8

A-9

A-10

A-11

B-1

B-2

Annual fluence spectra of LET in silicon within spherical shells of

equivalent aluminum shielding on the Martian surface during 1980

solar maximum ................................................................................................. 4-25

Fluence spectra of LET in silicon within spherical shells of equivalent

aluminum shielding on the Martian surface during the September 29,

1989 solar particle event ................................................................................... 4-26

Orbital Characteristics ....................................................................................... A- 1

Orientation of Polar Axis ................................................................................... A- 1

Time Properties .................................................................................................. A- 1

Geophysical Parameters ..................................................................................... A-2

Atmospheric Composition (by Volume) ................................................. ,. ......... A-3

Atmospheric Isotopic Ratios .............................................................................. A-3

Representative Chemical Composition of Soil .................................................. A-3

Atmospheric Properties ...................................................................................... A-4

Thermal Properties ............................................................................................. A-4

Viking and Pathfinder Landing Site Locations .................................................. A-5

Satellites ............................................................................................................. A-5

Parameters for Earth and Mars .......................................................................... B- 1

NASA Planetary Missions to Mars .................................................................... B-4

xii
ASI

AU

CME

CRC

EUV

GCR

IRTM

JPL

LET

LMT

MAE

Mars-GRAM

MGS

MIEL

MOLA

MPF

MSFC

NASA

PDF

RDM

SEE

SMM/ACRIM

SNC

SPE

TEPC

TES

TID

UAMS

US

UV

VL

Acronyms

Atmospheric Structure Investigation

Astronomical Unit

Coronal Mass Ejection

Chemical Rubber Company

Extreme Ultraviolet

Galactic Cosmic Rays

Infrared Thermal Mapper

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Linear Energy Transfer

Local Mars Time

Materials Adherence Experiment

Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model

Mars Global Surveyor

Man-Ionizing Energy Loss

Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter

Mars Pathfinder

Marshall Space Flight Center

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

portable data format

Radiation Design Margin

Single Event Effects

Solar Maximum Mission/Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor

Shergottite, nakhlite and chassignite

Solar Proton Events

Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter

Thermal Emission Spectrometer

Total Ionizing Dose

Upper Atmosphere Mass Spectrometer

United States

Ultraviolet

Viking Lander

xiii

MARS TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT DEFINITION DOCUMENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

This document, prepared for the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Transportation Directorate, Exploration Transportation Office, is an engineering reference for

applications in both robotic and human Mars missions. It provides the current state of knowledge

of environmental factors important to engineering design, development, and operations. The

information updates earlier work I'l and incorporates results from recent Mars robotic missions.

Development of this document, coordinated by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Environments Group, is a collaborative effort of scientists and engineers within MSFC, other

NASA Centers, aerospace industry, and academia.

1.2 Purpose

The purpose of this document is to provide in one reference source discussions of (and

values for) many of the parameters of Mars environments important in systems design, mission

planning, and spacecraft operations. This report is not intended to replace detailed environmental

specifications in environments requirements documents for specific Mars missions. Any engineer

or designer who needs more detailed information, is encouraged to contact one or more of the

contributors listed previously. This document is a supplement to the Human Exploration of Mars

Reference Mission document, 12 1-3 which provides the technical community with baseline

reference Mars mission architectures.

1.3 Mars-Earth Comparisons

1.3.1 Introduction

The environment of Mars has both similarities to and contrasts with Earth's environment.

Comparisons of some environmental values between Earth and Mars are given in table 1-1. More

detailed Mars environmental data values are also given in appendices A and B.

1.3.2 Orbit and Climate

Mars' day length, 24 hours 37 minutes, is only slightly longer than Earth's. Mars'

obliquity angle is 25.2 degrees, thus, sub-solar latitudes on Mars vary over almost the same range

as on Earth and (in relative terms) the range of seasonal variations are about the same as Earth's.

Like Earth, Mars is closer to the Sun in its Southern Hemisphere summer, with perihelion coming

shortly before southern summer solstice. Because of the larger orbital eccentricity of Mars,

however, its southern summer is warmer relative to its northern summer than Earth's. With a

year length of 687 Earth days (669 Mars solar days, or sols) the seasons on Mars are about twice

as long as on Earth. Seasons on Mars are measured by an angle (usually denoted Ls) that

measures celestial longitude of the Sun as seen from Mars. Northern Hemisphere seasons on

Mars begin at Ls=0 ° (spring), 90 ° (summer), 180 ° (fall), and 270 ° (winter). Because of orbital

eccentricity, seasons on Mars are not an equal number of days (sols) (see section 3.1.1). Its low

concentration of atmospheric water vapor (about 300 parts per million) makes Mars a desert

1-1
planet.Withno liquid water presently on its surface, Mars has about the same land area as Earth,

despite its small size (planetary radius 3390 km, about half that of Earth). Since Mars' distance

from the Sun averages over 1.5 times that of Earth, Mars receives only about 43 percent as much

direct sunlight as Earth. With Mars' larger orbital eccentricity the sunlight it receives varies more

during the course of its year (493 to 716 W/m 2 for Mars; compared to 1322 to 1414 W/m 2 for

Earth).

1.3.3 Dust Storms

A frequent feature of the Mars surface and atmospheric environment is the presence of

dust storms. These clouds of dust, sometimes raised to 80-km levels in the atmosphere (see

section 3.5.1), may be local (up to 100 km or so), regional (up to 1000 km or so), or fully global

in size and area affected. One measure of the intensity of a Martian dust storm is its optical depth

(frequently referred to as x, or tau), which is a measure of the attenuation of a beam of sunlight as

it passes through the entire (dust-obscured) atmosphere. If a dust storm tau value exceeds about

one, the surface would still receive daytime sunlight through the hazy dust layer(s), but a surfacebased observer would be unable to see a clearly-defined edge to the apparent disk of the Sun

though the "overcast". Clouds of ice (frozen particles of water or carbon dioxide) can also

obscure sunlight and contribute to the atmospheric optical depth.

Table 1-1. Comparison of Mars with Earth

Parameter Mars Earth

Distance from Sun

Length of Day

Axis Tilt w.r.t. Orbit

Length of Year

Mean Planetary Radius

Surface Gravity

Relative Surface Area

Relative Land Area

Average Solar Radiation (*)

Atmospheric Pressure

at Surface

Average Atmospheric Temperature

at Surface

Average Atmospheric Density

at Surface

Atmos. Scale Height

Adiabatic Lapse Rate

Mean Obs. Lapse Rate

Mean Albedo

Atmos. Optical Depth

Atmospheric Species

(dry atmosphere)

Precipitable Water

1.52 AU 1.00 AU

24 hr 37 min (1 sol) 24 hr

25.2 degrees 23.5 degrees

687 days (669 sols) 365 days

3390 km 6378 km

3.7 m/s 2 9.8 m/s 2

0.28 1.00

0.98 1.00

589 W/m 2 1367 W/m 2

5 to 10 (6.4 avg.) mb 1013 mb

210 K (-80 °F) 288 K (60 °F)

0.016 kg/m 3 1.2 kg/m 3

10 km 8 km

4.5 K/km 9.8 K/km

2.5 K/km 6.5 K/km

0.08 to 0.40 (0.25 avg.) 0.05 to 0.80 (0.30 avg.)

0.1 to 10 0.01 to3

95% CO2 78% N2

3% N2 21% 02

2% Ar 1% Ar

1 to 80 _tm 1 to 50 mm

(*) at top-of-atmosphere

1-2
1.3.4 NominalDensityProfiles

Figure 1-1 shows height variation of nominal atmospheric density for Earth and Mars.

Because of its lower atmospheric mass (and surface pressure), surface atmospheric density on

Mars is about a hundred-fold lower than that for surface atmospheric density on Earth. Because

of differences in temperature and density scale height for Mars versus Earth, atmospheric density

is roughly equal at about 100-km altitude on both planets. Thus, spacecraft using aerobraking

near the 100-km level on Mars encounter roughly the same density as this altitude on Earth. As

temperature and scale height differences continue to affect density toward higher altitudes,

atmospheric density on Mars returns to about a hundred-fold lower than for Earth at heights of

several hundred to 1000 km. By finding heights with equal density values in figure 1-1, it is easy

to estimate equivalent-density orbital altitudes between Earth and Mars. For example, a satellite

in an 800-km altitude orbit on Earth would experience comparable atmospheric density at about

420-km altitude on Mars.

z:

"7-

I 000

go0

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

I O0

0

i0-Iei

Nominal Density versus Height

, I I I I I I I I I I

', ', ', ', ', : : ',

_.._ .......:I:. ..... i:..... :i-.... "i..... ÷i..... i_..... i,,..... _i..... i_..... i:..... _i..... _!..... _..... :......

- -'_! .,_, i i li -4-- E_rt_i.19-reU_iSt_i_ardi i i[ i

_,! i'\ ! i I_ _ iMar_., Equ'ator,::Equ!b0X, .Local!Noo_[ .... i.....

- 't ....._':,i ........... i ::

.......... _'_ ..... ,W.... 7 .... "I..... : ..... 7 .......... _ ..... ; ..... 7 .... : .......... ,"..... :.....

"\ : ', ,, ,, , ,, ; : ',

,, ,, "., ,, : ', ,, ,, : ', : : ', ,

. , ,, , . ..., ..... , ..... ,..... . ..... ',...... ;...... . ........... ',..... _.....

.......... !..... i....._.... i i i ': i ! _ i _ :: ::

...... _....":_...."=....._"_":,_. ....!_....._!...._.....!_....._!....+E....!+.....!_.....•_" .....E! .....f

........... ._..... , .... :. .... ._._._. ; ..... _-..... :..... +..... _..... ,..... _..... , ..... _..........

, , "_,, , , , , , , , i ,

---r ..... '_ f- *-- -:-- -*- ,"_--- t*'_'- -**"..... :..... -I..... I-..... :..... "[..... _.......... :..... ' i iii'" .........

1__

0-1510"1410-1310"1210-1110 "10 10 9 10 .8 10 "7 10 .6 10 "5 10 4 10 -3 10 "2 10 -1 1 0

Density, kg/rnA 3

Figure I-I. Comparison of nominal atmospheric density versus height for Earth

and Mars. Earth values are from the 1976 US Standard Atmosphere. Mars values

are from Mars-GRAM I'4 at the Equator during equinox and local noon solar time.

1.4 Overview

Organization of the sections of this report is in the order of environments encountered by

Mars mission spacecraft systems (after leaving the environment of Earth). This section provides

an introduction and general overview. Section 2 gives details of the interplanetary environment,

especially ionizing radiation and meteoroids, encountered on Mars-Earth (and Earth-Mars)

transit. Section 3 provides information on the atmosphere of Mars, specifically relevant for

aerocapture, aerobraking, precision landing, and/or surface operations. Details of the impact of

dust storms on Mars' atmospheric environment are provided in this section. Section 4 details the

1-3
Marssurface environment, particularly as relevant to operation of surface systems such as landers

and rovers and discusses ionizing radiation environment at the surface. References are provided

at the end of each section.

1.5 References

1-1. Kaplan, D. L., compiler: "Environment of Mars, 1988", NASA Technical Memorandum

100470, 1988.

1-2. Hoffman, S. J. and D. L. Kaplan, editors: "Human Exploration of Mars: The Reference

Mission of the NASA Mars Exploration Study Team." NASA SP-6107, 1997.

1-3. Drake, B. G., editor: "Reference Mission Version 3.0 Addendum to the Human Exploration

of Mars: The Reference Mission of the NASA Mars Exploration Study Team." NASA/SP1998-6107/ADD, 1998.

1-4. Justus, C. G.: "Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model for Mission Planning and

Analysis." J. Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 216-221, 1991.

1-4
2.0 INTERPLANETARY SPACE ENVIRONMENT

2.1 Mission Trajectories

This section considers the potentially hazardous environments associated with transfer to

and from Mars. This interplanetary space environment is characterized by high energy radiation,

space plasmas, and high velocity meteoroids. Radiation is of most concern of the three with

plasma interactions the least (and therefore is ignored). Trajectory through the interplanetary

environment for a manned Mars mission is divided into four principal intervals: Earth-Mars

Transit, Mars Orbit, Mars Surface, and Mars-Earth Return Transit. Although not covered herein

because of the many possible Earth launch trajectories, the Earth's trapped radiation belts also

contribute to the total radiation background. While debris and charging environments pose a

brief threat during departure from the Earth's immediate environment, these environments need

to be defined for each particular mission. In this section, the interplanetary radiation and

meteoroid environments are defined for Earth-Mars transit, Mars orbit, and Mars-Earth return

with surface environments being treated in Section 4.5. A "typical" two-year mission profile with

approximately 16 months on Mars has been selected for this analysis. The mission trajectory

studied is illustrated in figure 2-1 and key mission dates are listed in table 2-1. The intent is to

provide sample engineering environments for design engineers and mission planners and to

illustrate the process necessary for defining the mission environmental requirements. In all cases,

the final design environments and design margins need to be determined for the specific mission

trajectory when known.

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

o.o

>-

-0.5

-1.0

-1.5

f

/

/

/

/

_1_ ws Jan/3, Z016

I •

\

Mars Ju

Earth Jan125, 2014

i

| i

i

..MEl

_2,2014 I

.... i ....

-0.5

thJu111 2016

/

/

-2.0 .......................

-2.0 -1.5 -10 0.0 0.5 1,0 1.5 2.0

X(AU)

Figure 2-1. Orbits assumed for a Manned Mars Mission starting on 25 January 2014,

reaching Mars on 22 July 2014, leaving Mars on 3 January 2016, and arriving back at

Earth on 11 July 2016.

2-1
Table 2-1. Orbit segments considered for Mars mission study

Orbit Segment

I) Earth to Mars Transfer

Earth Depart Jan

Mars Arrive

2) Mars Mission

Mars Arrive

25, 2014

Jul 22, 2014

Ju!22,2014

Mars Depart Jan 03, 2016

3) Mars to Earth Transfer

Mars Depart Jan 03, 2016

Earth Arrive Jul 11, 2016

4) Complete mission Earth-Mars-Earth

Timeline Rmin(AU) Rmax(AU)

179 Days 0.984 1.499

530Days 1.384 1.663

189 Days 1.015 1.653

898 Days 0.984 1.663

2.2 Ionizing Radiation Environment

Aside from on-board nuclear power sources, the major contributors to the Mars radiation

environment are the Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) and Solar Proton Events (SPE; also commonly

referred to as solar flares). These two environments are responsible for radiation damage to

electronic systems and are a threat to astronaut health. They include Total Ionizing Dose (TID)

effects, Single Event Effects (SEE), Displacement Damage, and Non-Ionizing Energy Loss

(NIEL) effects. The environments causing these effects are typically characterized in terms of

fluxes as functions of either energy or Linear Energy Transfer (LET) or as TID versus energy.

This section presents the appropriate environmental descriptions in these terms. Keep in mind,

however, that the environments are highly variable and that it is common for a project or designer

to assign a Radiation Design Margin (RDM) to account for uncertainties. Typically, at least a

factor of two through factors of four or higher may be appropriate for manned missions.

2.2.1 Solar Proton Event Environment

The primary radiation environment of concern to a Mars mission is solar activity. The

principle source of radiation damage is the so-called Solar Proton Event. An SPE is believed to

be caused by intense activity at the Sun (currently assumed to be a Coronal Mass Ejection or

CME) which results in the acceleration of solar plasma up to 10's to 100's of MeV in energy.

These events usually last only a few days but can raise the solar energetic particle flux to many

orders of magnitude over background. An event is characterized by proton and heavy ion fluxes

as a function of energy over the duration of the event. Recent models 22 refine the method for

estimating the occurrence of SPE's. A mission estimates the likelihood of a given flux level

being observed as a function of the mission's duration versus the solar cycle. The JPL-SPE

model breaks up the 1l-year solar cycle into 4 inactive and 7 active years. The model in this

respect is a step function. The Sun is assumed to be "off' for 4 years and "on" for 7 for producing

SPE's. The assumed active period of the Sun in the I l-year solar cycle for the proposed Mars

mission presented here is 2010.4 to 2017.4. A manned Mars mission launched Jan. 25, 2014 and

returned to Earth July 11, 2016 is completely within this window (note: this is a conservative

estimate, thus more appropriate for a manned mission). The sample Mars mission trajectory

considered here is broken into the four sub-mission intervals presented earlier. Solar proton

fluence and dose are then estimated 2-1 2-2 for the Earth to Mars, Mars orbit, and Mars return

portions (radiation on the Martian surface is described in section 4.5). As a conservative

estimate, the mission fluence and dose are estimated for a 95 percent case (i.e., 95 percent of the

2-2
time the fluence and dose will be less than the values tabulated and 5 percent of the time the

fluences may be equal to or larger). The fluences and doses are listed in tables 2-2 and 2-3 for the

orbital segments presented in table 2-1. The doses (4n steradians; spherical aluminum shield) are

plotted as a function of aluminum shielding thickness in figure 2-2. Note that the JPL-SPE model

is statistically based so the segments can not be directly added to give the total mission fluences

or doses. Each of these has to be independently estimated because the JPL-SPE model does not

give fluences at energies above 60 MeV directly; these are based on a simple extrapolation from

lower energies. Again, for a manned mission, an appropriate RDM should be established by the

project. Protons are the primary source of dose due to SPEs (electrons and heavy ions ignored).

Heavy ions, important in the single event environment (SEE), are discussed in section 2.2.2.

Table 2-2. 95 percent probability SPE fluences for the 3 segments and total mission.

Fluences and doses are not additive (i.e., Earth-Mars transfer plus Mars Mission plus MarsEarth transfer _ Complete Mission). NOTE: the JPL-SPE model does not estimate fluences

above 60 MeV--these values are extrapolated.

MISSION SEGMENT

Earth to Mars Mars to Earth

Proton Energy Transfer Mars Mission Transfer Complete mission

(MeV) Fluence(em "2) Fluence(cm "2) Fluence(cm "2) Fluence(cm "2)

9.E-04 2.04E+15 4.05E+15 1.83E+15 7.91E+15

I.E-03 1.74E+15 3.46E+!5 !.56E+15 6.74E+15

2.E-03 6.12E+14 1.22E+15 5.51E+14 2.35E+15

5.E-03 1.54E+14 3.07E+ 14 1.39E+14 5.82E+14

I.E-02 5.43E+13 1.08E+14 4.88E+13 2.03E+i4

2.E-02 1.91E+13 3.80E+i3 1.72E+13 7.06E+13

5.E-02 4.81E+12 9.58E+12 4.33E+12 !.75E+13

I.E-OI 1.70E+12 3.37E+|2 1.53E+12 6.09E+12

2.E-01 5.97E+11 1.19E+12 5.38E+ 11 2.12E+!2

5.E-01 1.50E+I 1 2.99E+11 1.35E+11 5.26E+I i

1.E+00 5.30E+10 1.05E+i ! 4.77E+10 1.83E+I I

4.E+O0 1.77E+10 3.53E+10 1.60E+I0 5.99E+10

I.E+01 6.85E+09 1.36E+ 10 6.16E+09 2.38E+!0

3.E+01 i.88E+09 3.73E+09 1.69E+09 7.09E+09

6.E+OI 8.43E+08 1.68E+09 7.59E+08 3.09E+09

5.E+02 7.25E+07 i .46E+08 6.56E+07 2.44E+08

I.E+03 3.25E+07 6.60E+07 2.95E+07 1.06E+08

2.E+03 !.46E+07 2.97E+07 1.32E+07 4.63E+07

2-3
SPE Mission Proton Ruences

1E+16

1E+15

1E+14

1E+13

E 1E+12

_ 1E+11

0

1E+10

w

L

m 1E+09

1E+08

1E+07

1E+06

1E-03

Mars Transfer

-- - Mars Mission

-Mars to Earth Transfer

_ Complete Mission

1E-02 1E-01 1E+00 1E+01 1E+02 1E+03 1E+04

Energy (MeV)

Figure 2-2. 95 percent probability SPE fluences for the 3 segments and total mission.

Fluences and doses are not additive (i.e., Earth-Mars transfer + Mars Mission + MarsEarth transfer ;e Complete Mission). NOTE: the JPL-SPE model does not estimate fluences

above 60 MeVmthese values are extrapolated.

Table 2-3. 95 percent probability SPE doses for 3 segments and total mission based on the

fluences in Table 2-2. A 4n spherical shield of Aluminum is assumed. Fluences and doses

are not additive (i.e., Earth-Mars transfer + Mars Mission + Mars-Earth transfer

Complete Mission).

MISSION SEGMENT (DOSE IN SPHERE, RADS(Si))

Earth to Mars Mars to Earth Complete

g/cm 2 (AI) mils (AI) mm (AI) Transfer Mars Mission Transfer mission

6.86E-03 1.00E+00 0.0254 7.31E+04 1.45E+05 6.58E+04 2.53E+05

2.06E-02 3.00E+00 0.0762 2.84E+04 5.64E+04 2.56E+04 9.64E+04

5.49E-02 8.00E+00 0.127 1.23E+04 2.46E+04 !.12E+04 4.12E+04

6.86E-02 1.00E+01 0.254 9.70E+03 1.93E+04 8.77E+03 3.26E+04

2.06E-01 3.00E+01 0.762 3.30E+03 6.55E+03 2.97E+03 1.12E+04

5.49E-01 8.00E+01 1.27 1.13E+03 2.24E+03 1.02E+03 4.02E+03

6.86E-01 1,00E+02 2.54 8.82E+02 1.75E+03 7.93E+02 3.18E+03

2.06E+00 3.00E+02 7.62 2.64E+02 5.23E+02 2.37E+02 1.00E+03

3.43E+00 5.00E+02 12.7 !.52E+02 3.01E+02 1.37E+02 5.70E+02

5.49E+00 8.00E+02 20.3 9.47E+01 1.88E+02 8.52E+01 3.52E+02

6.86E+00 1.00E+03 25.4 7.22E+01 1.44E+02 6.50E+01 2.66E+02

1.03E+OI 1.50E+03 38.1 4.72E+01 9.42E+01 4.25E+01 1.73E+02

1.37E+01 2.00E+03 50.8 3.56E+01 7. I IE+01 3.21E+01 1.29E+02

2.06E+01 3.00E+03 76.2 2.33E+01 4.65E+01 2.10E+01 8.36E+01

2-4
,_E Mars

IE÷06

1E÷05

•-.-- -Earth to Mars Transfer

. - Mars Mission

_Mars to Earth Transfer

_Complete Mission

t F_,,.O4

!

_t E+03

1E+OZ

mmml = Earth 1o Mar'J Transler

_._..T,3 - :.*,._-=

mmm3 ,= Mw$ to Earth Tratwler

mmm = Total

0254 mm 0.254 mm 2.5, mm

1E+01

1E+O0 1E+Ot 1E.t.02

MilsofAluminum

25., lj mm

1E+03

Figure 2-3. Plot of Table 2-3. 95 percent probability SPE doses for 3 segments and total

mission. A 4_ spherical shield of Aluminum is assumed.

2.2.2 Solar Proton Event Heavy Ion Model

In addition to dose, the single event environment (SEE) is critical to determining effects

of the radiation environment on a space mission. Table 2-4 gives the LET spectra behind several

spherical shield thickness for heavy ions in a 99th percentile flare. These spectra are derived from

the same type statistical model as the flare proton model above. Results of this model,

description2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2.7 and spectra, 2-s' 2-9, 2-10 are plotted in figure 2-3.

2-5
Table 2-4. Integral heavy ion flux versus LET at 1 AU for a single 99th percentile SPE

behind a 4_ spherical aluminum shield (1 mil = 10 -3 inch = 10 -3 x 2.54 cm)

LET

(MeV

cm2/mg)

Flux (cm" day") behind AI Spherical Shield of Thickness (mils):

Zero mils 60 mils 100 mils 250 mils 500 mils I000 mils

(0 mm) (1.52 mm) (2.54 mm) (6.35 mm) (12.7 mm) (25.4 mm)

1.00 1.352e+08 1.565e+06 2.01e+05 4.71e+04 4.40e+03 2.57e+02

1.26 1.323e+08 8.589e+05 1.00e+05 2.17e+04 1.96e+03 1.13e+02

1.58 1.302e+08 2.682e+05 1.89e+04 1.68e+03 5.64e+01 8.10e-Ol

2.00 1.289e+08 2.031e+05 !.38e+04 1.14e+03 3.79e+01 5.40e-01

2.51 1.136e+08 1.457e+05 9.66e+03 7.46e+02 2.43e+01 3.28e-01

3.13 1.10%+08 8.966e+04 5.70e+03 4.25e+02 1.32e+01 1.69e-01

3.98 9.149e+07 6.002e+04 3.73e+03 2.75e+02 8.46e+00 1.08e-Ol

5.01 7.947e+07 5.597e+04 2.03e+03 1.36e+02 3.78e+00 4.11e-02

6.31 7.087e+07 1.750e+04 9.73e+02 5.82e+01 1.51e+O0 1.53e-02

7.94 3.319e+07 7.067e+03 3.43e+02 1.36e+01 2.29e-01 1.66e-03

10.00 2.537e+07 3.976e+03 1.76e+02 6.09e+00 9.42e-02 4.97e-04

12.59 1.783e+07 2.008e+03 7.85e+01 2.04e+00 2.09e-02 8.13e-05

15.85 9.761e+06 5.856e+02 2.08e+01 4.49e-01 3.04e-03 7.34e-06

19.95 8.908e+06 3.079e+02 1.04e+Ol 2.17e-01 1.32e-03 2.82e-06

25.12 5.550e+06 1.057e+02 3.57e+00 7.38e-02 4.38e-04 9.04e-07

31.62 1.149e+03 2.518e-02 7.44e-04 7.91e-06 3.90e-08 6.02e-11

39.81 1.291e+02 1.923e-03 4.08e-05 3.00e-07 8.48e-10 6.42e-13

50.12 5.055e+01 6.429e-04 1.17e-05 6.74e-08 1.37e-10 5.14e-14

63.10 2.036e+01 1.372e-04 2.21e-06 l.lle-08 1.86e-11 6.92e-15

79.43 1.130e+O0 5.403e-06 6.57e-08 1.66e-10 1.67e-13 2.15e-17

100.00 4.332e-02 1.433e-07 1.58e-09 2.51e-12 1.75e-15 7.95e-20

110.00 l.O00e-20 1.O00e-20 1.OOe-20 l.OOe-20 l.OOe-20 l.OOe-20

2-6
2.2.3 Galactic Cosmic Ray Heavy Ions

In the absence of a SPE, the dominant Single Event Effects radiation source is the

Galactic Cosmic Ray background. The GCR heavy ion fluxes for various shielding thicknesses

are given in table 2-5. These spectra are for an "Adams' 90 percent worst-case" environment

(M=3). 2"12 The results are plotted in figure 2-4.

Table 2-5. GCR heavy ion fluxes versus LET behind an Aluminum spherical shield (4n) for

an Adams' 90 percent worst-case environment (M=3). 2"i2

LET (MeV

cm2/mg)

Zero mil

(0 mm)

25 mil

(0.635 mm)

60 mils

(1.52 mm)

Flux (cm" day "_)

100 mils

(2.54 mm)

250 mils

(6.35 mm)

500 mils

(12.7 mm)

1000 mils

(25.4 mm)

1.0058 6.24e+02 3.34e+02 2.91e+02 2.72e+02 2.40e+02 2.05e+02 1.52e+02

2.0064 2.38e+02 7.42e+01 5.69e+01 5.08e+01 4.31e+01 3.53e+01 2.43e+01

2.5071 1.87e+02 4.70e+01 3.42e+01 3.02e+01 2.55e+01 2.08e+01 1.42e+01

2.9962 1.56e+02 3.26e+01 2.27e+01 1.98e+01 1.67e+01 1.36e+01 9.31e+00

3.5018 1.34e+02 2.38e+01 1.60e+01 1.38e+01 1.16e+01 9.48e+00 6.47e+00

4.0026 1.17e+02 1.82e+01 1.19e+01 1.02e+01 8.61e+00 7.02e+00 4.78e+00

5.0013 9.36e+01 1.15e+01 7.12e+00 6.02e+00 5.09e+00 4.16e+00 2.83e+00

5.5286 8.44e+01 9.35e+00 5.63e+00 4.75e+00 4.02e+00 3.29e+00 2.23e+00

6.0438 7.77e+01 7.79e+00 4.58e+00 3.85e+00 3.26e+00 2.67e+00 1.80e+00

6.5339 7.19e+01 6.59e+00 3.79e+00 3.18e+00 2.69e+00 2.21e+00 1.49e+00

7.0637 6.65e+01 5.54e+00 3.12e+00 2.62e+00 2.22e+00 1.82e+00 1.23e+00

7.5519 6.11e+01 4.65e+00 2.58e+00 2.17e+00 1.85e+00 1.51e+00 1.02e+00

10.088 4.80e+01 2.47e+00 1.27e+00 1.06e+00 9.01e-01 7.38e-01 4.95e-01

15.065 2.93e+01 8.30e-01 3.90e-01 3.28e-01 2.84e-01 2.33e-01 1.55e-01

20.124 1.49e+01 3.48e-01 1.58e-01 1.33e-01 1.15e-01 9.44e-02 6.28e-02

25.146 5.63e+00 1.21e-01 5.46e-02 4.63e-02 4.02e-02 3.28e-02 2.18e-02

30.051 1.18e-01 2.34e-03 1.18e-03 1.05e-03 9.13e-04 7.22e-04 4.63e-04

35.913 2.22eo03 7.87e-05 5.57e-05 5.40e-05 4.66e-05 3.33e-05 1.78e-05

40.145 1.41e-03 4.96e-05 3.59e-05 3.53e-05 3.04e-05 2.15e-05 !.13e-05

45.377 8.41e-04 2.96e-05 2.19e-05 2.17e-05 1.88e-05 1.31e-05 6.71e-06

50.162 5.91e-04 2.01e-05 1.48e-05 1.48e-05 1.28e-05 8.91e-06 4.49e-06

55.451 3.84e-04 1.28e-05 9.54e-06 9.63e-06 8.37e-06 5.76e-06 2.85e-06

2.34e-04

1.52e-04

1.17e-04

60.618

65.533

70.063

7.89e-06

5.09e-06

3.71e-06

2.61e-06

1.70e-06

8.50e-07

3.37e-07

4.25e-08

2.53e-08

1.00e-08

1.71 e-09

74.905

80.081

85.616

5.93e-06

3.82e-06

2.73e-06

1.88e-06

!.19e-06

5.93e-07

2.38e-07

3.26e-08

1.92e-08

7.64e-09

1.30e-09

90.519

95.703

100.060

102.320

6.06e-06

3.95e-06

2.84e-06

1.96e-06

1.26e-06

6.28e-07

2.52e-07

3.50e-08

2.06e-08

8.20e-09

104.620 1.40e-09

8.81e-05

6.15e-05

5.30e-06

3.48e-06

2.52e-06

1.75e-06

1.13e-06

5.68e-07

2.27e-07

3.09e-08

1.83e-08

7.25e-09

1.24e-09

3.23e-05

1.30e-05

1.65e-06

3.60e-06

2.35e-06

1.70e-06

i. ! 8e-06

7.60e-07

3.79e-07

1.5 ! e-07

2.00e-08

1.18e-08

4.67e-09

7.96e-10

1.0 ! e-06

4.01 e-07

6.88e-08

1.75e-06

1.12e-06

8.03e-07

5.55e-07

3.55e-07

1.76e-07

6.93e-08

8.87e-09

5.23e-09

2.06e-09

3.51e-10

2-7
1 0 t

lO'

lo'

<--

a._, I "o10 0

"e

=_ 1 0"

10 "s

I 0"

I 0 ''°

Heavy-ion Flux for a 99 _ percentile Flare at 1 AU,

and for Adams' 9@% Worst Case GCR.

,a;.,.o.U=.la,., m _

r i ...... i-

--I

L "X " "'_I" mil_2.'r_J_) " . _ ,

:"--; ..._I__ I I',I,,,,,_I I _ I_ I I

l-"_Om=i<835,_m)"i",,_.. "'-._ I'NI I _

_I_-_. " _--. ', I T'_ -

i vii

! N ,."a-,. _i S_!

" I I ! I Ill I %(12.7mm) _"x ;.I, I -I"

-- GCR (Adams' M=3) 25 mil(0r,8_ 5[ ,)_ '. _._.._,J : '

S_lmil/{1;!.7 m) _. _, IF"',,._ ,_

..... I 1,1 t

I I ', I II I (,5,,....,,) \I "'_'. ! _

Shielding is an ,lumluum sphere of given radius. _J ",] I

---I00 mlls of AI = 0.686 g/cm = . -_----_r_.::l --

I I i I I I I I I l II I'"I.

lO

LET (MeV-cm=/mg)

I00

JMR 11!07/96

JPL _'c, 50.52

Figure 2-4. Heavy-ion flux for 99 th percentile SPE and 90 percent worst case GCR

background flux as functions of shielding and LET at 1 AU. 2"It

2.3 Meteoroid Environment

2.3. l Introduction

A growing concern for many missions is the possibility of a meteoroid impact. This

section presents estimates of the meteoroid environment for the three segments presented in table

2-6. These estimates are based on the Divine model of interplanetary meteoroids. 2"132-14 The

fluences as functions of mass and velocity bins (required for computing the critical penetrating

fluence which is a function of both mass and impact velocity) are provided, with the assumption

that the spacecraft is represented by a randomly tumbling surface. It may be desirable as the

mission definition becomes more clearly defined to compute the fluence for oriented surfaces. 2-t4

The effects of focusing and shielding by Mars on the meteoroid fluences were studied but, for

Mars, these effects approximately cancel each other and are not presented here.

2.3.2 Model Limitations

In this description of the meteoroid environment, the reader is cautioned about the

limitations of this (and other) meteoroid models, i.e.,

2-8
1) Very little good meteoroid data exist in the size regimes capable of damaging spacecraft for

the near-Earth environment; data collected during the 1960's have recently shown severe

biases. There are essentially no data for trans-Martian or near-Mars space.

2) Because of (1), ALL current meteoroid models 2"!3 2-152-16 are in significant error with respect

to fluxes at the high end of the mass range (area of most concern to spacecraft designers).

These models vastly underestimate (by at least a factor of 100) the number of high velocity

meteoroids, and inaccurately reflect the directionality of the meteoroid environment.

With these two caveats, table 2-6 gives the background meteoroid fluences for the segments of

the proposed mission and table 2-7 presents the total mission fluences. Figures 2-5 and 2-6

represent these results graphically.

Table 2-6. Interplanetary meteoroid fluences (particles m "2) for the 3-orbit segments

presented in Fig. 2-1. The Mars Orbit segment is at an altitude of 200 km.

From Earth to Mars (25 Jan 2014---22 Jul 2014)

mass (g) total 0-10 km/s 10-15 km/s 15-20 km/s 20-25 km/s 25-30 km/s 30-40 km/s 40-00 km/s

1.00E-12 4.69E+02 1.31E+02 1.35E+02 9.55E+01 5.10E+01 2.64E+01 1.33E+01 1.71E+OI

1.00E-11 2.25E+02 6.15E+01 6.40E+01 4.58E+01 2.53E+01 !.37E+01 6.92E+00 7.58E+00

1.00E-10 1.06E+02 2.79E+01 2.96E+01 2.16E+01 1.27E+01 7.41E+00 3.86E+00 3.37E+00

I.OOE-09 4.73E+01 1.29E+01 1.35E+01 9.68E+00 5.43E+00 3.01E+O0 1.48E+00 1.36E+00

1.00E-08 1.78E+01 5.10E+00 5.21E+00 3.66E+00 1.90E+O0 9.42E-01 4.37E-01 5.45E-01

1.00E-07 4.30E+00 1.29E+00 1.31E+00 9.05E-01 4.53E-01 2.08E-01 7.38E-02 5.55E-02

1.00E-06 6.82E-01 2.14E-01 2.13E-01 !.43E-01 6.99E-02 3.10E-02 9.20E-03 2.40E-03

1.00E-05 8.61E-02 3.04E-02 2.81E-02 !.65E-02 7.40E-03 2.91E-03 7.66E-04 7.52E-05

1.00E-04 !.05E-02 4.23E-03 3.61E-03 1.76E-03 6.74E-04 1.97E-04 3.86E-05 2.19E-06

1.00E-03 8.43E-04 3.53E-04 2.94E-04 1.35E-04 4.81E-05 I. 18E-05 1.71E-06 5.52E-08

1.00E-02 4.68E-05 1.98E-05 1.64E-05 7.38E-06 2.59E-06 5.98E-07 7.56E-08 1.40E-09

1.00E-01 2.21E-06 9.39E-07 7.77E-07 3.47E-07 1.21E-07 2.72E-08 3.22E-09 3.58E-11

1.00E+00 1.03E-07 4.37E-08 3.61E-08 1.61E-08 5.58E-09 1.24E-09 1.41E-10 9.25E-13

1.00E+OI 4.79E-09 2.04E-09 1.68E-09 7.48E-10 2.59E-10 5.71E-11 6.36E-12 2.45E-14

i.00E+02 2.24E-10 9.51E-11 7.86E-11 3.49E-i I 1.21E-I 1 2.65E-12 2.91E-13 6.72E-16

1.00E+03 1.04E-II 4.44E-12 3.67E-12 1.63E-12 5.64E-13 1.23E-13 1.35E-14 1.96E-17

Orbiting at Mars (22 Jul 2014---3 Jan 2016)

mass (g) total 0-10 km/s 10-15 km/s 15-20 km/s 20-25 km/s 25-30 km/s 30-40 km/s 40-00 km/s

1.OOE-12 8.88E+02 3.29E+02 2.57E+02 1.56E+02 5.15E+01 1.77E+01 2.20E+01 5.41E+01

1.00E-11 4.14E+02 1.54E+02 1.21E+02 7.30E+01 2.40E+01 8.08E+00 9.77E+00 2.40E+01

1.00E-10 1.86E+02 6.94E+01 5.43E+01 3.30E+01 1.10E+01 3.73E+00 4.35E+00 1.07E+OI

I.OOE-09 8.52E+01 3.22E+01 2.51E+01 1.52E+01 4.97E+00 1.60E+O0 !.76E+00 4.29E+00

1.00E-08 3.40E+01 !.29E+01 1.01E+O! 6.04E+00 1.94E+00 6.15E-01 7.07E-01 1.73E+00

1.00E-07 8.20E+00 3.32E+00 2.55E+00 1.51E+O0 4.59E-01 1.15E-01 7.74E-02 ! .72E-01

1.00E-06 1.35E+00 5.86E-01 4.27E-01 2.43E-01 7.18E-02 1.51E-02 4.33E-03 6.87E-03

1.00E-05 2.10E-01 1.05E-01 6.36E-02 3.10E-02 8.89E-03 1.50E-03 2.1 IE-04 1.72E-04

1.00E-04 3.21E-02 1.77E-02 9.3 IE-03 3.83E-03 1.06E-03 1.32E-04 8.02E-06 4.33E-06

1.00E-03 2.74E-03 1.55E-03 7.86E-04 3.08E-04 8.48E-05 9.33E-06 2.62E-07 1.09E-07

1.00E-02 !.54E-04 8.76E-05 4.42E-05 1.72E-05 4.70E-06 5.00E-07 9.26E-09 2.73E-09

1.00E-01 7.33E-06 4.17E-06 2.10E-06 8.11E-07 2.22E-07 2.33E-08 3.41E-10 6.87E-I1

2-9
1.00E+003.42E-07 1.95E-079.78E-083.77E-08 1.03E-081.08E-09 1.35E-11 1.73E-12

1.00E+OI 1.59E-08 9.09E-09 4.56E-09 1.76E-09 4.80E-10 4.99E-11 5.70E-13 4.33E-14

1.00E+02 7.44E-10 4.25E-10 2.13E-10 8.19E-11 2.24E-I l 2.32E-12 2.51E-14 1.09E-15

1.00E+03 3.48E-11 1.98E-! I 9.96E-12 3.83E-12 1.05E-12 1.08E-13 1.13E-15 2.74E-17

From Mars to Earth O Jan 2016--11 Jul 2016)

mass (g) total 0-10 km/s 10-15 km/s 15-20 km/s 20-25 km/s 25-30 km/s 30-40 km/s 40-00 km/s

1.00E-12 4.45E+02 1.22E+02 1.33E+02 8.49E+01 4.89E+01 2.50E+01 1.34E+Ol 1.75E+01

1.00E-ll 2.11E+02 5.73E+01 6.30E+01 4.03E+01 2.36E+01 1.23E+01 6.44E+00 7.79E+00

1.00E-10 9.75E+01 2.58E+01 2.87E+01 1.87E+Ol 1.13E+01 6.20E+00 3.24E+00 3.46E+00

1.00E-09 4.40E+01 1.20E+Ol 1.32E+01 8.47E+00 5.00E+00 2.63E+00 1.30E+00 i.39E+00

l.OOE-08 1.70E+01 4.78E+00 5.19E+00 3.27E+00 1.85E+00 9.14E-01 4.47E-01 5.60E-01

1.00E-07 4.13E+00 1.22E+00 1.31E+O0 8.14E-01 4.47E-01 2.08E-01 7.34E-02 5.70E-02

1.00E-06 6.72E-01 2.08E-01 2.20E-01 1.32E-01 6.97E-02 3.09E-02 8.61E-03 2.47E-03

1.00E-05 9.44E-02 3.31E-02 3.27E-02 1.70E-02 7.84E-03 2.94E-03 7.07E-04 7.77E-05

1.00E-04 1.31E-02 5.13E-03 4.78E-03 2.15E-03 8.03E-04 2.09E-04 3.67E-05 2.26E-06

1.00E-03 1.09E-03 4.40E-04 4.04E-04 1.74E-04 6.04E-05 1.29E-05 i.70E-06 5.74E-08

1.00E-02 6.12E-05 2.48E-05 2.27E-05 9.68E-06 3.30E-06 6.64E-07 7.73E-08 1.47E-09

1.00E-01 2.91E-06 1.18E-06 1.08E-06 4.58E-07 1.55E-07 3.04E-08 3.34E-09 3.78E-11

1.00E+O0 1.35E-07 5.50E-08 5.02E-08 2.13E-08 7.18E-09 1.39E-09 1.47E-10 9.95E-13

1.00E+OI 6.30E-09 2.57E-09 2.34E-09 9.92E-I0 3.34E-10 6.41E-11 6.67E-12 2.71E-14

1.00E+02 2.94E-10 1.20E-10 1.09E-IO 4.63E-11 1.56E-11 2.98E-12 3.07E-13 7.79E-16

1.00E+03 1.38E-11 5.60E-12 5.11E-12 2.16E-12 7.27E-13 1.39E-13 !.42E-14 2.41E-17

Table 2-7. Interplanetary meteoroid fluences (particles m z) for the complete mission in Fig.

2-1.

Total Mars Mission (25 Jan 2014--11 Jul 2016)

mass (g) total 0-10 km/s 10-15 km/s 15-20 km/s 20-25 km/s 25-30 km/s 30-40 km/s 40-00 km/s

1.00E-12 1.80E+03 5.82E+02 5.25E+02 3.36E+02 1.51E+02 6.91E+01 4.87E+01 8.87E+01

1.OOE-II 8.50E+02 2.73E+02 2.48E+02 1.59E+02 7.29E+01 3.41E+01 2.31E+01 3.94E+01

1.00E-10 3.90E+02 1.23E+02 1.13E+02 7.33E+01 3.50E+01 1.73E+01 1.15E+OI 1.75E+01

1.00E-09 1.77E+02 5.71E+01 5.18E+01 3.34E+01 1.54E+01 7.24E+00 4.54E+00 7.04E+00

1.00E-08 6.88E+01 2.28E+01 2.05E+01 1.30E+01 5.69E+00 2.47E+00 1.59E+00 2.84E+00

1.00E-07 1.66E+01 5.83 E+00 5.17E+O0 3.23E+00 1.36E+00 5.3 IE-01 2.25E-01 2.85E-01

1.00E-06 2.70E+00 1.01E+00 8.60E-01 5. !8E-01 2. i 1E-O 1 7.70E-02 2.21E-02 1.17E-02

1.00E-05 3.91E-01 1.69E-01 1.24E-01 6.45E-02 2.41E-02 7.35E-03 1.68E-03 3.25E-04

i.00E-04 5.57E-02 2.71E-02 1.77E-02 7.74E-03 2.54E-03 5.38E-04 8.33E-05 8.78E-06

1.00E-03 4.67E-03 2.34E-03 1.48E-03 6.17E-04 1.93E-04 3.40E-05 3.67E-06 2.22E-07

I.OOE-02 2.62E-04 1.32E-04 8.33E-05 3.43E-05 i.06E-05 1.76E-06 1.62E-07 5.60E-09

! .00E-01 i.25E-05 6.29E-06 3.96E-06 1.62E-06 4.98E-07 8.09E-08 6.90E-09 1.42E-10

t.00E+00 5.80E-07 2.94E-07 1.84E-07 7.51E-08 2.31E-08 3.71E-09 3.02E-10 3.65E-12

1.00E+01 2.70E-08 1.37E-08 8.58E-09 3.50E-09 1.07E-09 1.71E-10 1.36E-11 9.49E-14

1.00E+02 1.26E-09 6.40E- 10 4.01E-10 1.63E-10 5.01E-I I 7.95E-12 6.23E-13 2.54E-15

1.00E+03 5.90E-11 2.98E-11 1.87E-I 1 7.62E-12 2.34E-12 3.70E-13 2.88E-14 7.11E-17

2-10
1.E+08

Mars Meteoroid Integral Fluences

t.E+O?

1 .E+06

1 .E+05

1.E+04

1 .E+03

1 .E+02

_" 1.E+01

_ 1.E+O0

1.E-01

0

1.E-02

c

• 1 .E-03

_. 1.E-04

1.E-05

1.E-06

1.E-07

1.E-08

1.E-09

1.E-10

1.E-11

1 .E-18

-- Earth-Mars

........ Mars Orbit

.... Mars-Earth

................ Total

1.E-15 1.E-12 1.E-09 1.E-06 1 .E-03 1.E+O0 1.E+03

Meteoroid Mass (g)

Figure 2-5. Integral Mars meteoroid fluences for the 3-mission segments and the

total as functions of meteoroid mass. Units for fluence are number per square

meter for the time interval of the segment.

2-11
1E+08

1E +06

_ 1E+04

1E+02

-- 1E+O0

1E.02

_" 1E-04

1E-06

_.. 1E-08

_ 1E-10

1E-12 1E-14

Mars Meteoroid Integral Fluences by Veloclty Blns

_total

_0-10 km/s

....... 10-15 km/s

.... 15-20 km/s

_2o-25 km/s

- -25.30 km/s

-30°40 kn_'s

_4o.oo kmls

1E-16

1E-18

1E-18

i b

1E-15 1E-12 1E-09 1E-06 1E-03 1E+O0 1E+O

Meteoroid Mass (g)

Figure 2-6. Integral Mars meteoroid fluences for the 3-mission segments and the

total by velocity. Units for fluence are number per square meter for the time

interval of the segment.

2.3.3 Fluence and Flux

While the fluence is a good measure of mission survivability, it is helpful to have an

estimate of the flux (number of meteoroids of a given mass or size striking the spacecraft per unit

area per unit time) that might be encountered in near-Mars space. This is integrated over any

desired time interval to give number of impacts on the spacecraft. The model used in these

calculations can also calculate the flux, which, for Mars orbit, is approximated by

log F = - 14.18 7 - 1.3164 log m + 4.1347xl 0 -3 (log m) 2 _ 1.3 87 lxl 0-2 (log m) 3

- 8.1004xl 0-3 (log m) 4 _ 7.9186xl 0-4 (log m) 5,

(2-i)

where F is the flux in units of meteoroids m2 s_ and m is the mass in grams. The above

expression is for Mars at perihelion. Because of the eccentricity of the Martian orbit, the

meteoroid flux at Martian aphelion is about 25 percent less than the values given by this simple

relation. The meteoroid speed relative to Mars is approximated by

v = 0.010775e -°s661°g" + 9.63 (2-2)

where v is the meteoroid speed in km sl and m is the mass in grams. This yields speeds about 67

percent smaller than that for meteoroids at Earth, not too surprising, given Mars' greater distance

from the Sun. The meteoroid densities are assumed to be in the range 0.5 to 2 gm cm3. 2-16

2-12
2.3.4 Meteor Streams Near Mars

The preceding paragraphs provide a description of the background (also called

"sporadic") component of the meteoroid environment; however, it is also necessary to

characterize a second component of the meteoroid environment - meteor streams. Consisting of

particles (conglomerates of ice and dust, and possibly organics) ejected from comets as they pass

through the inner Solar System, these streams cause meteor showers (or rarely more intense

meteor storms) here on Earth. Since Mars is visited by about twice the number of comets as

Earth, it is to be expected that Mars will encounter more meteor streams. Preliminary

calculations indicate a fair number of Martian meteor showers (table 2-8). Note the clustering of

encounters in December 1999, June 2000, and May 2001, which may indicate strong meteor

activity. Mission planners should project these dates forward to the mission times and allow for

an enhancement of the meteoroid flux during these periods. Fortunately (from a penetration and

plasma generation viewpoint), the meteor speeds are rather low except for particles originating

from Comet Olbers.

Table 2-8. Comet close passages to Mars in the near future. Additional meteor shower

dates may be calculated by adding or subtracting multiples of 687 days from the dates

given.

Comet name Close approach Meteor Date of peak of Date of Peak in

distance speed meteor shower 2014-2016

(tO e kin) (km s"l)

Jackson-Neujmin 1.7 9.9 1999 November 18

Boethin 5.5 13.6 1999 November 19

Shoemaker 2 1.2 12.7 2000 February 12

Kushida 7.3 I 1.3 2000 February 27

Haneda-Campos 1.9 9.6 2000 March 7

Stephan-Oterma 3.9 11.8 2000 April 2

West-Kohoutek- 5.3 14.4 2000 April 10

Ikemura

Olbers 3.4 26.9 2000 April 10

Wiseman-Skiff 0.9 11.1 2000 April 12

Howell 6.9 6.6 2001 July 7

Tempel 1

D'Arrest

1.0

4.9

7.5

11.9

2001

2001

December 15 2015

December 16 2015

April 7 2016

April 22 2016

May l 2016

May27 2016

June 4 2016

June 4 2016

June 6 2016

May24 2015

May 25 2015

September25 2016

July 8

April 1

2.3.5 Spacecraft Strike Probability

Not only are planets subjected to meteor streams but so are spacecraft in interplanetary

space. In mid-September 1967, Mariner IV encountered a meteor stream at a distance of 1.273

astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, about midway between the orbits of Mars and Earth. The

onboard dust detector registered an increase in the meteor flux by a factor of 1000 over the

background for some 45 minutes, during which the spacecraft was torqued about its roll axis and

had thermal insulation torn away. Mariner IV continued on its way without further incident. This

historical example illustrates very nicely the characteristics of meteor streams: particle densities

three to four orders of magnitude greater than normal with widths on the order of a couple

hundred thousand kilometers (about an hour's travel at normal interplanetary speeds).

Unfortunately, there are insufficient dynamical studies or measurements to map the locations of

these debris clouds between Earth and Mars. It is currently thought that the odds of a spacecraft

encountering one are small (but probably not ignorable).

2-13
2.4 Solar Radiation and Thermal Environments

2.4.1 Near Earth

Direct solar irradiance at Earth averages about 1367 W/m 2 and varies during a year from

about 1322 W/m 2 at aphelion (early July) to about 1414 W/m 2 at perihelion (early January).

Planetary albedo (fractional reflected solar radiation) varies from about 0.06 to 0.54. Outgoing

longwave radiation (infrared radiation thermally emitted by the Earth-atmosphere system) varies

from about 150 W/m 2 to about 350 W/m 2. Anderson and Smith 2"16give details of the variations

of albedo and outgoing longwave radiation with averaging time and orbital inclination (latitude).

2.4.2 Interplanetary

Direct solar irradiance varies inversely with square of the distance from the Sun (1367

W/m 2 at a distance of 1 Astronomical Unit). The infrared radiative sink temperature for deep

space away from the influence of planetary bodies is 3 K (5 x 10-6 W/m2).

2.4.3 Mars Orbit

Direct solar irradiance at the top of the Mars atmosphere varies from about 493 W/m 2 at

Mars aphelion to about 717 W/m 2 at Mars perihelion (average value 589 W/m2). Planetary

albedo for Mars averages about 0.25 and varies between about 0.1 and 0.4 (figure 4-10) except at

the polar caps where it is about 0.6. Major dust storms cause some increase in planetary albedo.

Because of the thin atmosphere, outgoing longwave radiation at the top of the Mars atmosphere is

changed little from upwelling longwave radiation (controlled by surface temperature) at the

surface. Top of atmosphere on Earth is considered to be 30 km, where the pressure is about 1

percent of its surface value, i.e., about 10 mb. The surface pressure on Mars is less than 10 mb.

Although absorption and emission by carbon dioxide have some effect on radiative transfer, the

radiative top of atmosphere on Mars is very near the surface. Since surface temperature varies

between about 140 K at polar night to about 280 K in southern summer mid-day (figure 3-5),

outgoing longwave radiation ranges between about 20 W/m 2 and about 350 W/m 2.

2.5 References

2-1 Jordan, Thomas: "A Radiation Transport Shielding Code, Experimental and Mathematical

Physics Consultants." NOVICE, 1998.

2-2 IOM 5217-92-23 Feynman, J., Spitale, G., and Wang, J. to Murphy, G.: "Interplanetary

Proton Fluence Model, JPL 1991." 1992.

2-3 Feynman, J., Spitale, G., Wang, J., and Gabriel, S.: "Interplanetary Proton Fluence Model:

JPL 1991." Journal ofGeo. Res., Vol. 98 (A8), p. 13281, 1993.

2-4 IOM 5217-92-19 Croley, D. to Murphy, G.: "Construction of High Energy Ion Time

Profiles During the October 1989 Solar Flares From Data Taken by the Galileo Heavy Ion

Counter (HIC)." 1992.

2-5 IOM 5215-92-072 Croley, D.R. and Cherng, Michael to Murphy, G.B.: "Procedure for

Specifying the Heavy Ion Environment at 1AU." 1992.

2-14
2-6

2-9

2-10

2-11

2-12

2-13

2-14

2-15

2-16

IOM 5215-92-075Croley,D. R. to Murphy,G.B.:"SpectralShapeof SolarFlareHeavy

Ions."1992.

IOM 5215-92-042Croley,D.R.toMurphy,G.B.:"SolarFlareHeavyIonModel."1992.

IOM 5217-92-60Spitale,G., Feynman,J., andWang,J. to Murphy,G.: "SolarAlpha

ParticleModel:ProgressandProblems."1992.

IOM 5215-92-143Ratliff,M. to Edmonds,L.: "1992Modelof SolarFlareHeavyIons:

SelectedSpectra."(Notethatthe99thpercentileflareisreferredtoasaI% flare.)

IOM 5217-91-52 Cherng, M. to Albrecht, V.: "CRAF/Cassini CDU SEU / Latch-up

Analyses." 1991.

Adams, J.H. Jr.: "Cosmic Ray Effects on Microelectronics (CREME) - Part I: The NearEarth Particle Environment." NRL Memorandum Report 4506, pp. 14-15, 1981.

Adams, J.H. Jr.: "Cosmic Ray Effects on Microelectronics, (CREME) - Part IV." NRL

Memorandum Report 5901, 1986.

Divine, N.T.: "Five Populations of Interplanetary Meteoroids." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 98,

No. E9, pp. 17 029 - 17 048, September 1993.

Garrett, H. B., et al.: "Interplanetary Meteoroid Environment Model Update." J.

Spacecraft, Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 124-132, January-February 1999.

Griin, E., Zook, H.A., Fechtig, H. and Giese, R.H.: "Collisional Balance of the Meteoritic

Complex." Icarus, Vol. 62, pp. 244-272, 1985.

Anderson, B. J. and Smith, R. E.: "Natural Orbital Environment Guidelines for Use in

Aerospace Vehicle Development." NASA Technical Manual 4527, pp. 7-1 to 7-4, 1994.

2-15

3.0 MARS ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Climatology

3.1.1 Orbit

The mean Mars orbit is approximately 227 900 000 km from the Sun (149 600 000 km

for Earth). Compared to Earth's orbit, Mars' orbit is somewhat eccentric. As a consequence, the

seasonal cycle is not symmetrical. The incoming solar flux at the top of the atmosphere is

approximately 40 percent more at Southern Hemisphere summer solstice than at Northern

Hemisphere summer solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, autumn and winter are 143 and 154

sols, respectively, (Mars days), compared to 194 and 178 sols in the Southern Hemisphere. The

surface of Mars is cold, dry, has a thin atmosphere, and is devoid of obvious life. Due to its

highly eccentric orbit, the average Martian surface temperature ranges from as little as -133 ° C at

the winter pole to almost 27 ° C on the dayside during summer, and averages -55 ° C.

3.1.2 Atmosphere

Mars has a very thin atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide (95.3 percent), plus

nitrogen (2.7 percent), argon (1.6 percent) and traces of oxygen (0.15 percent) and water (0.03

percent). The average pressure on the surface of Mars is only about seven millibars (less than 1

percent of Earth's), but it varies greatly with altitude from almost nine millibars in the deepest

basins to about I millibar at the top of Olympus Mons. The atmosphere is thick enough to

support very strong winds and vast dust storms that occasionally engulf the entire planet for

months. Mars' thin atmosphere produces a weak greenhouse effect that raises the surface

temperature by 5K; much less than on Venus (500K) and Earth (33K). Atmospheric variations

have an impact on spacecraft entering the atmosphere as atmospheric uncertainties and entry

body drag variations are major contributors to variations in entry trajectory and potential causes

3-1

of navigation error.

3.1.3 Thermal Conditions

Thermal conditions on Mars vary considerably, temporally and spatially, and depend on

the latitude, season, and amount of suspended dust particles. The atmosphere is heated by

absorption of solar radiation and cooled by infrared emission. Two components drive these

processes: (1) CO2 and (2) dust, which vary as a function of season and latitude. CO2 absorbs the

infrared solar flux. This has negligible impact on ground insolation, but it increases the

temperature profile about 10°C at sunny latitudes above 50 km. CO2 also creates a greenhouse

effect up to 10 W/m 2 that may increase the local ground and atmosphere temperatures. _2

3.1.4 Near Surface Climate

Compared to Earth the Martian ground has a low thermal inertia. The Martian ground

surface is generally near radiative equilibrium due to low heat capacity of the atmosphere. The

diurnal temperature cycle is very strong. Temperatures at the Martian surface depend on latitude,

season, time of day, and properties of the surface itself, mainly its albedo and thermal inertia (see

sections 4.3.2 through 4.3.4). This temperature cycle has been modeled 3"3 and results presented

in figure 3-1.3-4 Temperatures are at their lowest just before dawn, rise rapidly in the morning to

a maximum just after noon, then fall rapidly in the afternoon and more slowly during the night to

their predawn low. The temperature cycle measured by Mars Pathfinder 3"5 is presented in figure

3-2.

3-1
I I i I I . ! | I t

Boto_Em_Bo,_,,_,oo- 03o ff'_'- _ _ \ I

so,._,_u,.,Ar,oN --23.2,','_;"i \ _ i I ,

_o ! I I I I ! 1¢!/ ! ' \\'_ i ! I

! I1 I ;/'/X,4 '/"''G\i _<_,\\, i i

:,o + I I. I/tiii] _1: ! x .\!\'_ i

! I X//tl / i ', 7_t_,,\\llk °"

_: _111 ;IYI! il I/1_ I '\1 \">..,",...Y,,.X",, o.'_"

•-=. i IV i/,/i y ! _.,.-_1-\ _;, "-.L.__

'_,oo_'LVi / I J"i I I ,, _l

1,o i i i i : I i

' ' ! i i

12o ilt ' ! , ,. l: i ! I Ji*

0 2 4 6 9 10 12 14 16 19 20 22 24

TIME _u.)

--IIIEIAII.I. II, iEIill (l(pc) 1/2 - 0.006 --" i I

280 -- BOLOMETtlC BOND ALIEDO • 0.30 __ J I

SURFACE IR EMISSIVITY - 0,90 l

SOLAR DECLINATION - * 23.31" I_'_ _

260 .......

2,40

i2,o

IE

_ 11111

t iv/,

,_, i I \

.,,;// /' i \

--__ / / \

I

l

"° I I

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 2,1

LOCAL TIME (houri)

/-,15 •

Figure 3-1. Models of the Daily Temperature Fluctuations of the Martian Surface as a

Function of Latitude. The upper diagram shows the situation at perihelion, when it is summer in

the south; the lower diagram is for aphelion, when it is winter in the south (after Michaux and

Newburn, 19723.3 and given in Carr34).

3-2
I I I ! I I I

_-22o ' '

I , , , , , ,

6 9 12 15 18 21 24 3 6

Local solar time (hours)

Figure 3-2. Diurnal Variation in Atmospheric Temperature Measured by

Thermocouples on the Pathfinder Mast. Measurements correspond to thermocouplcs

at I00, 50, and 25 cm above the lander solar panels. 3"5

3.1.5 Density and Temperature Profiles

Figure 3-3 provides profiles measured by the Viking and Pathfinder missions 35 of

atmospheric density and temperature as functions of altitude. Atmospheric density decreases

roughly exponentially with altitude (figure 3-3a). Temperature (figure 3-3b) does not decrease

smoothly between the surface and 40-km altitude. Furthermore, above 40 km there are

pronounced gravity waves in the altitude vs. temperature profile.

3-3
160

140

4_---Viking 1 UAMS

120

60

Pathfinder

Viking 1 ASI

40

2O

0

10-10 10-8 10 -6 10 -4 10 2

Atmospheric density (kg/m3)

Figure 3-3a. Observed Density of the Mars Atmosphere Versus Altitude for the Viking and

Pathfinder Missions. 3-s ASI is atmospheric structure investigation; UAMS is upper

atmosphere mass spectrometer.

3-4
160

140

120

,.--100

E

"o 80

<{

60

40

20

Pathfinder

condensatio_

UAMS

_l--Viking 1 ASI

0 f I 0 I I I

50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Temperature (K)

Figure 3-3b. Observed Temperature of the Mars Atmosphere Versus Altitude for

the Viking and Pathfinder Missions. 3.s ASI is atmospheric structure

investigation; UAMS is upper atmosphere mass spectrometer.

3.2 Surface Air Temperature

3.2.1 Temperature Range

Like Earthly deserts, afternoon surface air temperatures on Mars are (in relative terms)

high but plunge sharply at night. Figure 3-4 shows daily temperature variations observed by the

Mars Pathfinder lander during its first few days of operation. The diurnal range seen here is about

60 °C. Figure 3-5 shows the range of maximum and minimum surface air temperatures with

latitude and season. During southern summer, the diurnal temperature range on Mars can exceed

70 °C. This equals the diurnal temperature range of a hypothetical Earthly desert that reaches

over 120 °F (49 °C) in daytime with temperature plunging below 0 °F (-18 °C) at night.

Although such temperatures are found at various times in Earth's deserts, maximum temperature

range during a given day would not exceed about 60 °F (33 °C). Although diurnal temperature

range is large on Mars, daytime high temperatures rarely exceed 0 °C.

3-5
Surface Air Temperature

Mars Pathfinder Lander vs. Mars-GRAM Model

0 I • Pathfinder Temperature (1meterlevel)I

I_ Mm-GRAMMod_Valu. I

-10

A D

-4o I _ L o_ t •

_ / l\ _ _,\ 1' •

-so / ".\ r ' \ J q

•-f/-60 "_ ; _\J "

q

-70

-80 _

Time, Pathfinder Sols

Figure 3-4. First few days of surface air temperature measured by Mars

Pathfinder lander. 3"5 Solid curve is from Mars-Global Reference

Atmospheric Model. 3"6

3-6
Daily Maximum Surface Temperature (K)

oo

.901,/ ........ 7 ,"_., ,_-,. ,"",--_-,_ _,

0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Areocentdc Longitude of Sun, Ls (deg)

(a)

Daily Minimum Surface Temperature (K)

60 {_

_ -30 _

I- /

g

/

-90 "

0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Areocentnc Longitude of Sun, Ls (deg)

(b)

Figure 3-5. Daily maximum (a) and daily minimum (b) surface air

temperature as a function of latitude and season. Season on Mars is

measured by angle Ls, with 0 = spring equinox, 90 ° = summer solstice, 180 °

= fall equinox, and 270 o = winter solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere).

3-?
3.2.2 Dust Storm Effects

Dust storms occur frequently on Mars and significantly affect surface temperature.

Figure 3-6 shows time history of daily maximum, minimum and average surface air temperature

measured during approximately one Earth year by the Viking 1 lander. The influence of two dust

storms is evident (1977a and 1977b, starting near Ls = 210 ° and 312 °, respectively). Since dust

blocks incoming sunlight, it lowers average temperature and significantly lowers maximum

temperature. Dust also blocks outgoing thermal infrared radiation from the surface and raises

minimum surface air temperature.

260

_" 220

IJJ

tr

uJ

n

uJ

I-- 180

140

TAVG

VL1

1 I I t | I I l | I I J ! I I I ! l

_.lMm

_Y_ r 'lh/ "

r_

I I I I I I I I i I I I I I i _ i t

0 100 200 300 400

VL 1 SOLS

Figure 3-6. Maximum, average, and minimum surface air temperature

measured by the Viking 1 lander. Effects of dust storms 1977a and 1977b

are evident. 3"7

3.3 Surface Air Pressure

3.3.1 Dust Storm Effects

Viking 1 and 2 lander measurements of surface pressure are shown for a full Mars year in

figure 3-7. Surface air pressure at the reference datum level on Mars (analogous to sea level on

Earth) averages about 6 mb (compared to mean sea level pressure of about 1000 mb on Earth).

Surface pressure at both Viking lander sites averages higher than 6 mb because both lander sites

were well below datum level (see Appendix A). Since surface air pressure is a measure of the

weight of the atmospheric column of air above a site, such low surface pressures indicate that the

mass of Mars' atmosphere is less than 1 percent that of Earth. Figure 3-7 also shows that the

3-8
effectof dust storms is to increase both mean atmospheric pressure and its variability (at least at

the latitude of the Viking landers). This is a direct measure of the impact of dust on redistributing

the atmospheric mass by perturbations in atmospheric circulation induced by atmospheric heating

caused by dust.

C

0.40 I., La- '

0 _ '-" r'"'r " _ _ .....

10.0

i 9.0

8.0

el

7.0

L,,, 120

| i, ,,i

L_. 210 _L,. 300

0 187 33_

Sois(NormaUzedto local midnight)

i

5_ 869

lm

Figure 3-7. Variations of surface air pressure measured by Viking lander 1 (upper

curve, lower panel) and Viking lander 2 (lower curve, lower panel). 3-s

3.3.2 Polar Influence on Seasonal Changes

Large seasonal variations in surface pressure evident in figure 3-7 (maximum more than

40 percent greater than minimum) are due to substantial changes in the mass of Mars' atmosphere

during the course of its year (seasonal variations in Earth's surface air pressure are no more than

1 to 2 percent and with essentially no seasonal change in the total mass of Earth's atmosphere).

Since surface temperatures during Mars winters get colder than the freezing point of carbon

dioxide (CO2, the major constituent of Mars' atmosphere), part of the atmospheric CO2 freezes

and is precipitated (making snow consisting of particles of "dry ice") and deposited onto the

winter polar cap. During summer, substantial amounts of this "dry ice" polar cap sublime back

into the atmosphere as CO2 vapor. Seasonal variations of pressure (atmospheric mass) seen in

figure 3-7 are due to differences in CO2 mass flux onto the winter pole and out of the summer

pole and to the results of nonsymmetrical heating of the poles in northern and southern seasons.

3-9
3.4 Surface Wind and Dust Storms

3.4.1 Topographic Influence on Wind

Winds measured by the Viking landers were generally light at night (about 2 m/s) and

stronger in daytime (6 to 8 m/s). Measured Mars Pathfinder winds were not strong enough to

blow significant amounts of dust off the rover and special collector surfaces on the lander.

Viking, however, showed that winds are driven to a large extent by strong upslope-downslope

effects. Boundary layer models indicate that winds may approach 20 to 30 m/s in areas of

significant topographic slope.

3.4.2 Dust Storms and Wind

Surface wind plays an important role in producing dust storms on Mars that can be local,

regional, or global in size (see table 3-1). The exact role of surface wind is not yet completely

understood. Dust storms have a preference for occurring during the strong solar heating period

during Southern Hemisphere summer (between about Ls = 180 ° and 350 °) shown in figure 3-8.

Dust storms, especially those of global dimensions, do not occur every Mars year. Therefore,

wind must play an additional triggering role in dust storm initiation. Proposed trigger

mechanisms include (1) direct wind lifting (saltation) by strong, topographically-forced winds,

(2) dust lofted by small "dust devil" circulations, similar to those frequently seen in Earthly

deserts during summer (and confirmed to exist on Mars by both Pathfinder lander and Viking

orbiter observations), and (3) dust lifting by strong downslope winds blowing off the northern

edge of the south polar cap as it melts and retreats in southern summer. Once a dust storm

reaches significant size, effects of atmospheric heating caused by the dust itself can cause

changes in atmospheric circulation and stability that can allow the storm to grow to regional or

global dimensions. Although much less frequent during southern winter than southern summer,

local-scale dust storms can occur during all seasons and in both hemispheres (but are much more

likely in the Southern Hemisphere) (section 3.5.2).

3-10
5.0

4.0

Oep(h

3.0

2.0

1.0

o

3.0

2.0

1.o

o

I I I I I I I I I I | I i --

. a) VL1

- rl _p

- _/_

I I I I I I I I I I I I I

b) VL2

D '_p

0 '_T a a

o o

I

90 150 210 270 330 30 90

Amocenlriclongitude,L s

NSO3105M

Figure 3-8. Occurrence and magnitude of Mars global dust storms

(indicated by arrows) as a function of season (angle L,), with a plot of dust

optical depth measured by Viking landers. 3"9 Circles and squares indicate

optical depth measured by two different techniques. Optical depth is a

measure of dust-induced atmospheric opacity (optical depth 1 meaning

attenuation of sunlight by a factor of l/e).

3.5 Atmospheric Dust and Effects on Landing and Launch Vehicles

3.5.1 Introduction

Dust is probably ubiquitous on Mars. Annual dust storms introduce into the atmosphere

micrometer sized particles that can remain suspended for many months. These particles, and

larger ones up to tens of micrometers that precipitate faster, fall over most of the planet, and

contribute a dust layer that will in time coat all surfaces if not removed later by wind or lofted

again by the impact of larger particles at the surface. Large accumulations of dust over many

years are expected in areas sheltered from wind. The classically bright albedo areas of Mars may

be such places. Likewise, dark areas signify regions where dust is systematically removed,

leaving material of larger size and visually more characteristic of the bedrock.

Generally, a significant amount of orange dust remains in suspension in the atmosphere.

3 1/ The airborne dust particles are estimated at <2 _m 31° or _<3 gm. " Additionally, there is a

significant amount of submicrometer size particles in suspension. The smaller particles may be

3-11
easilytransportedby windor atmosphericcirculation.Figure3-9providesestimatesof thesize

distributionof atmosphericallyborneparticles.Onewidelyusedsizedistributionis:

n(r)= Cr2exp[-4r/rm]

3-12

where n(r) is the number density of particles of radius, r, and the mode radius, rm, equals 0.4 _tm.

The total column mass loading during a dust storm is typically 10-3 g cm 2 The single scattering

properties of the particles averaged over the solar band 3-]2 are the following:

Average Scattering Extinction

Single Scattering Asymmetry Parameter Efficiency

Albedo Cos 0 Qex_

0. 86 0. 79 2.74

The shape of the particles is unknown but, generally, it is assumed they are products of ground

erosion. The dust composition is also unknown, but is likely produced by aeolian weathering of

basaltic rocks similar to terrestrial palagonitic clays.

10

m

w

e,.

Q .01

.001

.0001

-- solar model

(Pollack et al.)

""'- ..... Infrared model

%,

. (Toon at al.)

........ Clancy et al.

\

\

i,

l

l

1

: i

iI I

1

.01 .1 1 10 100

Dust Radius (tam)

Figure 3-9. Relative Size Distribution of Airborne Dust Particles. Radius of dust

particle is in micrometers. 3-12 3-13 3-14 Note the large disagreement for the smallest

particles.

The amount of dust particles present in suspension in the atmosphere follows a seasonal

cycle (see figure 3-8) with a clear season in northern spring and summer and a heavily dust

charged season in northern autumn and winter. The seasonal change in dust occurs due to the

frequency of dust storms. These phenomena range in size from dust devils meters in diameter to

3-12
hemispheric events that can on rare occasions contribute enough dust to obscure the entire planet.

A dust storm "season" occurs roughly from Ls 200 ° to 330 °, corresponding to southern spring -

summer, which is also perihelion (Ls is the Sun's positiorv--Areocentric; positive east--from the

Northern Vernal Equinox; Southern Summer solstice occurs when Ls=270°). Mars' orbit is more

elliptical than the Earth's, and consequently the energy deposition is significantly higher (45

percent increased insolation) during Southern Summer (section 2.4.3). The warmer surface

creates stronger atmospheric dynamical behavior, including the winds necessary to raise dust.

During the clear season, the amount of dust is spatially more uniform, with an increase in

the low regions and a decrease at higher altitude, due simply to the variation in total atmospheric

path. During the dusty season, the space distribution of dust is more uneven, due to greater

activity and higher frequency of dust events in the Southern Hemisphere.

Vertical profiles of dust quantities were measured by Mariner 9, Viking, and Mars Global

Surveyor. Dust is usually well mixed within the atmosphere: abundance varies with pressure;

scale height is about 10 km. Studies indicate that often in the high atmosphere there are one or

more layers of thin ice clouds with dust underneath and continuing down to the ground. The top

of this layer of dust may vary between 10 km at high latitudes during clear season and up to 80

km at the Equator during dusty season.

The total dust mass in the atmosphere at the peak of the 1977b storm, the largest seen by

Viking, was estimated at 4 x 1014g, based on infrared opacity mapping. 315 3-16 This corresponds

to 4 x 10 -4 g/cm 2 or a layer 1.4 lam thick.

3.5.2 Dust Storm Occurrence

Martian dust storms range greatly in size. Local and regional dust storms (table 3-1 and

figure 3-11) were observed mainly in the intertropical regions or in the southern hemisphere

during summer. However, storms have been seen near the northern polar cap edge in summer,

and dust devils probably occur widely (section 3.4).

Dust storms tend to occur near planetary perihelion (Ls = 251°; figure 3-8). Since

perihelion nearly coincides with the southern summer solstice (Ls = 270°), the resulting intense

summertime radiation triggers dust storms that may last for several months. At such time, the

optical depth can approach a value of five or more, adequate to obscure all surface features as

seen from space or to make the Sun invisible from the surface. As many as three local storms per

day may be expected in late sprin{ (in either hemisphere) and two per day in early northern

summer and midsouthern summer. 3° 7 During global dust storms the atmosphere is expected to be

warmer and more isothermal (approximately 200 K) to altitudes of 50 to 60 km due to direct

absorption of sunlight by the dust (figure 3-15).

3-13
Table 3-1. Classification of Martian Dust Storms. Local dust storms are shorter in duration

than great dust storms and may not have the "explosive" expansion phase of the great ones. Great

dust storms form a continuum that can be subdivided into Type A (large), Type AB (circle globe)

and Type B (cover globe). 3"18

Range for Season of Typical Typical

Latitude of Origin Duration Extent

TYPE Origin (deg) (L_ in deg) (Earth (km) Other Remarks

days)

LOCAL +70 ° to -75 ° All 4 -10 100 No rapid

expansion

Type A +50 ° to -60 ° 192 ° <Ls < 70 2500 Expansion East310 ° West

(110 °, 163 °

rare)

Type AB -20 ° to -60 ° 205 ° 90 20 000 Circle globe

Type B -20 ° to -60 ° 250 ° < Ls I00 GLOBAL Cover globe

<310 °

The global storms over the years do not occur with any regularity. Global storms were

observed in 1956, 1971/72, 1973, 1977, 1978, and 1982. Smaller storms were observed in 1922,

1924, 1943, 1958, and 1971 (figure 3-8). Years with two storms and no storms have been

observed. After a storm normal conditions resume in 50 to 100 days. The likelihood of a dust

storm occurring at a given Mars landing site on a given date cannot be made with any more

accuracy than a prediction of a storm for a specific location and time on Earth. However, table 3-

2 created for Mars Observer, indicates that it is possible to estimate the probability of a globecovering storm. Although the truly global storm encountered by Mariner 9 was more severe, the

Viking mission encountered the worst dust season on record. 3-1s Should a global storm coincide

with a Mars encounter for a manned mission, the impact of the storm on descent control (due to

atmospheric changes) may necessitate a delay in the scheduled landing. Some idea of the

seasonal and location variation of local type dust storms is provided, respectively, by figures 3-10

and 3-11.

3-14
Table 3-2. Predictions of Martian Dust Storms for Mars Observer Mission. See Table 3-1

for explanation of storm types. Storms from 1956 to mid 1988 are used for statistics (1977a is

used once for Type A and once for Type B; t982b is used as a 6th Type B). Local storm

predictions are for a mean environment. Predictions of two great storms are an 80% confidence

estimate for the period 1956 to 1986 and a 95% confidence estimate for the period 1977 to 1986.3"18

Time Interval Storm Type Anticipated Number Remarks

In MO Mission (Range of Dates)

Drift Orbit Parlod + 10 days

Aug. 13, '93 Local "20

to A None

Dec. 16, '93 B None

Mapping Orbit (Mission)

Dec. 16, '93 Local "135

to A 1 (Dec. 30, "93-

Oct. 14, '95 B 1 Jul. 10, '94)

both A and B 1 worst case

Beginning of extended Mission

Oct. 16, '95 Local "37

to A I {Nov. 18, '95-

May 25, "96 B 1 May 25, '96}

both A and B 1 worst case

7t chance (i in 15 Mars Yr.)

40% chance (6 in 15 Mars Yr.)

40% chance (6 in 15 Mars Yr.)

20% chance (3 in 15 Mars Yr.)

40% chance (6 in 15 Mars Yr.}

40% chance (6 in 15 Mars Yr.)

20% chance (3 in 15 Mars Yr.)

** 135 is Martian yearly average count of local storms seen from the

Earth 1965-1984

4..:..,.H. 0e..,.,..oIH*.Hoolo.*H..* g • ie°o,.=.*.|.°.**° , •. it*....... 0)..=..o*.*...,.... 0 ,0.*,,...........,. i •oo....... 0D I

: : p

• Yellow Clouds :

® : ; r

'_ 3..= :.75 o

: b

2"" I ..

Z . °" ; I

g _ • _ • .-I • i: : i

_>1..; / ........ oX /, o,."V' _'. !25t

< _ ° 0 0............................................................. :........ ;...... :...... :...... :...... :

; : ; ' I ! : , ' ' ' ' '

000 030 060 090 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Planetocentric Longitude (Ls)

Figure 3-10. Graphs of seasonal indices for Yellow Clouds (solid line; left-hand scale) and

probability of observing them (dotted line; right-hand scale). Graphs are based on

observations for the opposition years 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1982, and 1984. "SS"

3-19

Indicates Northern Summer Solstice. Yellow Clouds are local dust storms.

3-15
ud

Q 0_

li-

<

._I

.3¢

.e¢

• " HISTORICAL (WELLS 197g) .. "':"'_ -..'_L_'_'|_4¢"!

__._

4 •

:----40.: :°

"%" .-. i

' " " .'A

.. o _ _ o"% r_ /'-!

n c -:A_-541. _.4 I

" ..o :-.':

_, o 111 ,,

__._, -

,_. : L_ .:_ "" _....... •

z:

ff_ _, 1_0 o _ _0 _

AREOCENTRIC LONGITUDE L s

Figure 3-11. Local dust storms detected by the Viking orbiters. 3"19 Latitude and

time-of-year occurrence of local dust storms detected by the Viking Orbiters from either

infrared or visible imaging observations, and those observed from Earth compiled by

reference Wells. 3"2° Solid line represents the sub-solar latitude. (Figures taken from

Kahn et al., 19923_ as copied from Peterfreund, 1985. 3"19)

3.5.3 Surface Phenomena

The vast annual dust storms produce little erosion but redistribute fine debris. Produced

by very slow erosion rates, a surface layer varying from meters to tens of meters thick has been

redistributed around Mars. This layer likely consists of sand and dust size particles entrained and

moved by the wind. 3"22 The Viking data indicate a particle size distribution of less than 1 to 10

micrometers. 3"23 Ground operations may also be inhibited by motion of material from local wind

activity quite independent of the storms. The wind driven debris zone near the surface is believed

to be very thin, ranging from a few millimeters to centimeters. 3-34 Particles in motion should not

exceed a few mm in size. If fine dust is present locally, it can be lofted by this process. Creep of

sand-sized particles may also be an important consideration.

Martian dust storm fronts are perhaps similar to those in the American southwest. While

Martian wind speeds may exceed terrestrial winds, the density of the Martian air at the surface is

100 to 120 times less. The pressure of winds is roughly proportional to air density times wind

velocity squared. 3"34Winds measured by the Viking and Pathfinder landers are unlikely to be

worst cases since they were purposefully landed in relatively fiat terrain. Nighttime downslope

winds in many sloping areas of Mars could be in the 30 to 40 m/s range. Such velocities, with

their associated dust-raising capability, are required to explain the abundant streak patterns in the

surface albedo.

3-16
3.5.4 Engineering Properties

The ability of airborne dust to enter mechanisms and cause wear was studied in the Mars

Pathfinder Wheel Abrasion Experiment. Strips of aluminum with metallic coatings of different

thickness and hardness were attached to the right central wheel of the Sojourner rover• The dust

grain size (diameter) suggested by clogging of dust in a cleated wheel was less than 40 gm and

less than 30 _m from abrasive characteristics. Electrostatic charging inferred a dust grain size of

• • 3-24

<20-36 _tm. Abrasion was most pronounced on aluminum--the softest metal sample. The fine

size of the airborne dust may require special filtration mechanisms. The oxidizing properties of

the dust, perhaps due to activation by solar UV, and the liberation of oxygen upon exposure to

water, may cause special chemical concerns for dust in contact with seals, filters, optics, and

biological materials. Dusty environments pose an added risk upon landing when a radar

reflective surface is required to measure closing veloc_ A very dusty landing area could raise a

dust plume that would coat instruments and hardware.

3.5.5 Electric Power Generation

One significant impact of atmospheric aerosols (e.g., dust) on a manned mission to Mars

is the potential effect on solar panels. The Mars Pathfinder lander successfully demonstrated the

use of photovoltaic arrays on the Martian surface. The significantly smaller Sun - Mars distance

at perihelion with its advantage for solar power, is offset by the typically greater dust abundance

of the atmosphere at that time.

Figure 3-12 shows that the atmosphere of Mars carries a significant amount of suspended

dust--the amount varying with the occurrence of dust storms. The light color of the sky in this

image is due to scattering of sunlight by dust particles suspended in the atmosphere. Dust

reduces the intensity of sunlight reaching the surface. A reduction of the blue light component

may influence the optimum choice of solar cell materials.

Figure 3-12. Martian Landscape as Viewed by the Mars Pathfinder Lander. For a color

version of this figure, contact/ere./ustus@ms/c.nasa.gov to get a portable data format (PDF) of

this report.

The amount of dust in the atmosphere characterized by the optical depth x (the exponent

in the equation I = I0 exp ', where I is the intensity compared to the above-atmosphere value I0),

3-17
can vary from less than 0.4 to values greater than 5, depending on the season, latitude, and

presence of dust storms. Passage of light through the dust layer also affects the spectrum of light

at the surface. Dust provides the greatest attenuation of light at short wavelengths. Figure 3-13

shows the spectral transmission of the atmosphere calculated using a simplified model of dust

properties. Note that UV intensity may not be reduced as much as the blue (section 4.6).

Reduction in the blue light content may favor use of solar cell materials that respond

better to the red and infrared, i.e., lower bandgap semiconductors which are also more suitable to

lower-than-Earth-normal temperatures. Also, the best choice of solar cell for producing power

during the seasonal global dust storm may be quite different from the optimum technology during

3 26 3 27

clear periods. " " During a relatively clear day (optical depth is low) most of the total sunlight

reaching the surface is direct, allowing the use of light concentration devices. 3"28 With high dust

opacities, virtually all the light is diffuse and a concentrator has no advantage. A solar power

source designed for use at the poles would benefit from around-the-clock daylight during the

summer months.

0.11".

t

O.$S

transm.

b

0.1_ ..

*

o.7: ;-

0°7 [

@.e. e

.t

/

J

f

p

0.2 0.t 0,¢ 0.8 I .I •

wavelength (microns)

Figure 3-13. Transmission of the Mars Atmosphere From 0.2 to 1.2 Micrometers.

Transmission calculated at zenith angle of O(sun directly overhead) for x = 1.3-28

Atmospheric dust on Mars can take months to settle out of the atmosphere and deposit

onto horizontal surfaces. This potentially limits the operating lifetime of a solar array on Mars

unless a technique is developed to remove the dust periodically. The Mars Pathfinder mission

(figure 3-14) indicated a dust coverage rate that lead to a 0.3 percent power loss per day. This is

consistent with calculated values for dust deposition based on the available dust properties

measured from Viking and Mariner. 3"2s

3-18
O

r,.)

6

5

4

2

&

+l+ #"

.p I •

+ +

,.r'" "II

o o

• Dust (noon)

• First Sol dust

i | t

0 5 10 15 20 25

Sol

Figure 3-14. Dust Coverage of the Sojourner Rover Solar Array. Data measured

from the MAE experiment on the Rover. 328

3.6 Dust Effects on Temperature and Density

3.6.1 Temperature and Winds

Vertical variation of temperature is controlled by the adiabatic lapse rate, F = g/Cp, where

g is gravity and Cp is specific heat. Because of lower gravity on Mars, F is about half the value

for Earth's atmosphere, so temperature decreases less rapidly with altitude on Mars than on Earth.

Lacking substantial amounts of ozone, Mars' middle atmosphere does not undergo significant

heating, and so lacks a warm middle atmosphere region analogous to the upper stratosphere and

lower mesosphere of Earth. Instead, Mars' atmospheric temperature tends to decrease with

altitude above the surface until it begins to increase again near 100 to 120 km (the thermosphere,

analogous to Earth's thermosphere).

Thermal wind relations are expected to play a large role in determining winds aloft. In

zones with large North-South temperature gradients (such as near polar cap edges), winds aloft

• 3-29

greater than 100 m/s are inferred but have not yet been measured directly. Changes in

temperature patterns caused by dust storms are thus expected to have considerable effect on both

temperature gradients and winds (section 3.4.2)•

3.6.2 Dust Effects on Density

Because of its low density, a given volume of Mars' atmosphere has low inertia, and thus

responds more sensitively to mechanical forcing (such as topographic influence on winds) than

does Earth's atmosphere• Similarly, low density on Mars means that a given volume of

atmosphere has lower heat capacity and responds more readily to given thermal forcing. Strong,

3-19
sudden effects of atmospheric warming by a developing regional dust storm are illustrated in

figure 3-15 and shows that the 1997 Noachis storm, observed by Mars Global Surveyor (MGS),

produced about 10 °C warming at 30 km and 20 °C warming at 50 km (at the same location and

time of day) over just four days. Figure 3-16 shows that corresponding changes in atmospheric

density, induced by the Noachis storm over four days, range from 25 percent near the surface to

over 125 percent at 70 km.

7o

8O

5o

__ 4o

t--

-r30

2O

IO

120

Effects of Regional Dust Storm on Vertical Temperature Profile

Todd Clancy. Mars Global Surveyor Team (private communication)

, , , I , ,\, , , , I , , , 1 , , , I , , , , , ,

•':..,,............_........................................... •................. _.....................

". i !

i iNN i\ 11/29/97 Duringi:St°rm ::

i i _'_i \\ i i

......................................... i............._............ __'_...............................................................

11/25/97 Bel_ore Storm :.,. .

: : : : "N i :

................. ::....................... !................... :_...................... _......... .'.._._..................... ::.....................

' ' ' "' ' ' I ' ' ' ' ' ' I ' ' ' I ' ' ' I ' ' '

140 160 180 200 220 240 260

Temperature, K

Figure 3-15. Effects of the regional-scale Noachis dust storm on temperature over a four-day period, measured by ground-based microwave

techniques (Todd Clancy, private communication).

3-20
7O

60

5O

E 40

x 30

2O

10

0

Effects of Regional Dust Storm on Density Profile

DensityRatio (11/29/97to 11/25/97)

, , , , I .... I .... I , , , , I , , , , I , , , ,

........................ ,_...................... i ........................ _ ....................... _........................ :"..........................

i i

.00 1.25 1.50 1,75 2.00 2.25 2.50

Density Ratio

Figure 3-16. Dust-storm-induced changes in atmospheric density over the

same period in Figure 3-15 (Todd Clancy, private communication).

Despite the fact that the Noachis storm remained only regional in size (primary enhanced

atmospheric dust was confined to middle southern latitudes), dust effects were observed by MGS

at essentially all latitudes and altitudes. Figure 3-17 shows that increases in atmospheric pressure

(and density) observed by the MGS accelerometer instrument 3"3° were even larger at 126 km and

at middle northern latitudes than those observed in Clancy's ground-based microwave data for

61-km altitude in middle southern latitudes. Large density effects were seen to at least 160-km

altitude by MGS accelerometer measurements.

3-21
I Oct t ,N.ov . I Dec ,,, i Jan . ,!

5.5_ ....

J 3.sr ,ooo° o I

== • _ 0 0

I

,,_2.Sr; o _o%'_O.o= - ° ,_o. t = , o_

D._D O Oo O

,,lo.

-0.5

260 310 360 410

Day of year

Figure 3-17. Effects of the Noachis dust storm on atmospheric pressure at

61-km altitude (ground-based microwave data; triangles) and at 126 km

(MGS accelerometer data, circles).

Even in the absence of major amounts of dust, large variations in atmospheric density

occur, especially at 75 km and above, over various seasons and times of day. Figure 3-18 shows

as much as a factor of five change in density between Mars Pathfinder entry and density

measured by Mars Global Surveyor during aerobraking operations.

,..135 I

._ 125 ""

_120 "'"-L "_N,_

110 ' - .... i0° ........ i'o' " "

Density (kg/km3)

Figure 3-18. Atmospheric densities measured at various times of day and

seasons by Viking 1 (dashed line), Viking 2 (solid line), Pathfinder (dotted

line), and Mars Global Surveyor (circles) under relatively dust-free

conditions.

3-22
3.7 Density Waves at Aerobraking Altitudes

Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) used aerobraking to lower periapsis altitude of its initial,

highly-elliptical, capture orbit into a nearly-circular, operational, mapping orbit. Having a sunsynchronous orbit, the spacecraft returns to nearly the same local time and latitude on each

periapsis pass. However, longitude of periapsis varies significantly from orbit to orbit. An

unexpected longitude dependence in atmospheric density was observed by an accelerometer

onboard MGS. 3"3° Figure 3-19 shows atmospheric density relative to Mars-GRAM 3-6 model

value for MGS orbits 946 to 997. Density values (at essentially the same latitude and local time)

varied more than a factor of three as longitude varied during this observing period. At this time

and latitude region, the longitude-dependent waves were dominated by a wave-2 pattern (2 wave

peaks over 0 to 360 longitude range). At other periods during its aerobraking operations, MGSobserved longitude-dependent waves were predominantly wave-3 pattern.

2.5

_2.0

t_

?-

._ 1.5

O

o

cY

c_ 1.0

0.5

LongHude-DependentDensityWaves

Observed on MGS Orbits 946-997

,, I,, I,, I,, I, , I,, I,, t,, I,, I,, I,, I , ,

• • lie

• o •

II

• •

ram•

• •

Ilal

• Onnuo • • • ee

raP'

qn

• 48, •

• [ • Observed by Accelerometer

I • Empirical Wave Mode

'' I'' I'' 1 ' ' I ' ' I '' I ' ' I ' ' I ' ' I ' ' I ' ' I ' '

0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

East Longitude, degrees

Figure 3-19. Longitude-dependent waves of atmospheric density observed by Mars

Global Surveyor on successive periapsis passes for orbits 946-997. Density is plotted

as ratio of observed value to Mars-GRAM 3-6 model expected value at periapsis.

3.8 Solar Influence on Mars Atmosphere

3.8.1 Solar Wind

Since Mars has no appreciable planetary magnetic field, 3"31interaction of the solar wind

with Mars is much like that for Venus or an active comet. The ionosphere and neutral

atmosphere of Mars act as an obstacle to flow of the solar wind stream and produce a bow shock

(figure 3-20). Location of this bow shock appears to be independent of upstream dynamic

pressure. Although there is speculation that its position may depend on solar Extreme Ultraviolet

(EUV), no distinct dependence on solar activity has been discerned. With no planetary magnetic

3-23
field,thereis no"focusing"of solarwindchargedparticlesintopolarregions(hencenoauroras

onMars).As aconsequence, manyof theobservedcomplexitiesofEarth'spolarionosphereand

thermospherearenotexpectedonMars.

A

iX:

v

• lIT | -'T

4

2

4-

+

÷

Orbits 003 - 083

÷ inbound

o outbound

÷

0

-6 -4 -2 0

X (RM)

0

o

2

Figure 3-20. Location of Mars bow shock observed by Mars Global Surveyor. TM

3-24
3.8.2 Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV)

As with Earth, the primary mechanism for heating the thermosphere of Mars (above

about 120 km) is absorption of solar EUV and X-rays. Since there are no regular observations of

interplanetary EUV or X-ray flux, effects of this radiation are usually parameterized in terms of

dependence on the flux of 10.7 cm solar radio noise (F10.7). Figure 3-21 shows observed

dependence of Mars exospheric temperature (temperature at the upper levels of the thermosphere)

on Fi0.7. Whereas, exospheric temperature on Mars varies between about 150 K and 400 K,

Earth's exospheric temperature varies from about 600 K to 1200 K over the range of solar flux

encountered.

40O

350

15(]

DAYSIDE

&

EXOSPHERIC TEMPERATURES

VS. SOLAR ACTIVITY

I

Stewart _19871

• AIRGLOW

A NEUTRAL

DENSITIES

0 PLASMA

(0.8 correclion)

NCAR I-D

U NCAR 3-D

I00

25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95

FI0.7 at MARS

Figure 3-21. Exospheric temperature for Mars versus 10.7 em solar radio noise flux

adjusted to Mars orbital position. 3"3z

3-25
3.8.3 Ionosphere

Both ions and electrons in the Mars ionosphere have their peak concentration near 130-

km altitude (figure 3-22). There is no clear evidence that the altitude of the electron peak has any

dependence on EUV (or Fi0.7). However, it does depend on orbital position of Mars from the Sun

(electron peak is at lower altitude when Mars is further from the Sun).

i01 !0 z i01 _)4 iO 5

NUMBER DENSITY (crn -3)

Figure 3-22. Ion density profiles in Mars dayside ionosphere. 3-33

Solid lines are modeled values. Symbols are Viking orbiter data.

3-2

3-3

References

Golombek, M. P., Cook, R. A., Moore, H. J., and Parker, T.J.: "Selection of the Mars

Pathfinder landing site." J. Geophys. Res, Vol. 102, No. E2, pp. 3967-3988, 1997.

Zurek, R.W., Barnes, J.R., Haberle, R.M., Pollack, J.B., Tillman, J.E., and Leovy, C.B.:

"Dynamics of the Atmosphere of Mars" in Mars_ Kieffer, H. H., Jakosky, B. M.,

Synder, C. W., Mathews, M. S. (eds): Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 835-933,

1992.

Michaux, C. M. and Newburn, Jr., R. L.: "Mars Scientific Model." JPL Document 606-1,

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, 1972.

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3-6

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3-19

Carr,M.H.:The Surface of Mars. Yale University Press, New Haven, p. 19, 1981

Schofield, J. T., Barnes, J. R., Crisp, D., Haberle, R. M., Larsen, S., Malgalhaes, J. A.,

Murphy, J. R., Seiff, A., and Wilson, G.: "The Mars Pathfinder Atmospheric Structure

Investigation/Meteorology (ASI/MET) Experiment." Science, Vol. 278, pp. 1752-1758,

1997.

Justus, C. G.: "Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model for Mission Planning and

Analysis." Jr. Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 216-221, 1991.

Ryan, J.A. and Henry, R. M.: "Mars Atmospheric Phenomena During Major Dust Storms

as Measured at the Surface." J. Geophys. Res., Voi. 84, pp. 2821-2819, 1979.

Tillman, J. E.: "Mars Temperature Overview." University of Washington, at

http://mars.ivv.nasa.gov/kl2/resources/mars datainformation/temperature overvie

w.html.

Zurek, R. W.: "Martian Great Dust Storms: An Update." Icarus, Vol. 50, pp. 288-310,

1982.

Pollack, J. B., Ockert-Bell, M. E., and Shepard, M. K.: "Viking Lander Image Analysis of

Martian Atmospheric Dust." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 100, pp.5235-5250, 1995.

Bell, J. F. and Ockert-Bell, M. E.: "Physical, Compositional, and Radiative Properties of

Martian Dust." Eos Trans, AGU 79(45) Fall Meet. Suppl., F527, 1998.

Pollack , J. B., Colburn, D. S., Flasar, F. M., Kahn, R., Carlston, C. E., and Pidek, D.:

"Properties and Effects of Dust Particles Suspended in the Martian Atmosphere." jr.

Geophys. Res., Vol. 84, pp. 2929- 2945, 1979.

Toon, O. B., Pollack, J. B., and Sagan, C.: "Physical Properties of the Particles Composing

the Martian Dust Storm of 1971-1972." lcarus, Vol. 30, pp. 663-696, 1977.

Ciancy, R. T., Lee, S. W., Gladstone, G. R., McMillan, W. W., and Rousch, T.: "A New

Model for Mars Atmospheric Dust Based Upon Analysis of Ultraviolet Through Infrared

Observations from Mariner 9, Viking, and Phobos." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 100, No. E3,

pp. 5251-5263, 1995.

Martin, T. Z. and Richardson, M.: "New Dust Opacity Mapping from Viking IR Thermal

Mapper Data." JGR Planets_ Vol. 98, p. 10941, 1993.

Martin, T. Z.: "Mass of Dust in the Mars Atmosphere." JGR Planets, Vol. 100, p. 7509,

1995.

Beish, J., et al.: "Exploring Mars in 1988." Sky and Telescope, 1988.

Evans, R.: "Mars Atmosphere Dust-Storm Occurrence Estimate for Mars Observer."

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory memo No. 5137-87-124, 1988.

Peterfreund, A. R.: "Contemporary Aeolian Processes on Mars: Local Dust Storms."

Arizona State University, Ph.D. thesis, 1985.

3-27
3-20

3-21

3-22

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3-24

3-25

3-26

3-27

3-28

3-29

3-30

3-31

3-32

3-33

Wells, R. A.: Gegphysics of Mars. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1979.

Kahn, R., Martin, T., Zurek, R., and Lee, S.: "The Martian Dust Cycle" in Mars Kieffer, H.

H., Jakosky, B. M., Snyder, C. W., and Matthews, M. S. (eds.): Univ. of Arizona Press,

Tucson, pp. 1017-1053, 1992.

Christensen, P. R. and Moore, H.J.: "The Martian Surface Layer" in Mars, Kieffer, H. H.,

Jakosky, B. M., Synder, C. W., Mathews, M. S. (eds): Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp.

686-729, 1992.

Arvidson, R. E., Gooding, J. L., and Moore, H. J.: "The Martian Surface as Imaged,

Sampled, and Analyzed by the Viking Landers." Rev. Geophys. Space Phys., Vol. 27, pp.

39-60, 1989.

Ferguson, D. C., Kolecki, J. C., Siebert, M. W., Wilt, D. M., and Matijevic, J. R.:

"Evidence for Martian Electrostatic Charging and Abrasive Wheel Wear from the Wheel

Abrasion Experiment on the Pathfinder Sojourner Rover." Jr. Geophys. Res., Vol. 104, No.

E4, pp. 8747-8789, 1999.

Golombek, M. P., Moore, H. J., Haldemann, A. F. C., Parker, T. J., and Schofield, J. T.:

"Assessment of Mars Pathfinder Landing Site Predictions." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 104, No.

E4, pp. 8585-8594, 1999.

Appelbaum, J. and Landis, G. A.: "Photovoltaic Arrays for Martian Surface Power." Acta

Astronaut, Vol. 30, pp. 127-142, 1993.

Matz, E., Appelbaum, J., and Taitel, Y.: "Solar Cell Temperature on Mars." d. Propul.

Power, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 119-125, 1998.

Landis, G. A.: "Solar Cells on Mars." Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on

Radiation Effects on Semiconductor Devices for Space Application, 1998.

Christensen, P. R., Anderson, D. L., Chase, S. C., et al.: "Results from the Mars Global

Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer." Science, Vol. 279, No. 5357, pp. 1692-1698,

1998.

Keating, G. M., Bougher, S. W., Zurek, R. W., et al.: "The Structure of the Upper

Atmosphere of Mars: In situ Accelerometer Measurements from Mars Global Surveyor."

Science, Vol. 279, No. 5357, pp. 1672-1676, 1998.

Acuna, M. H., Connerney, J. E. P., Wasilewski, P., et ai.: "Magnetic Field and Plasma

Observations at Mars: Initial Results of the Mars Global Surveyor Mission." Science, Vol.

279, No. 5357, pp. 1676-1685, 1998.

Bougher, S. W., Roble, R. G., Ridley, E. C., et al.: "The Mars Thermosphere. II. General

Circulation with Coupled Dynamics and Composition." d. Geophys. Res., Vol. 95, pp.

14811-14827, 1990.

Chen, R. H., Cravens, T. E. and Nagy, A. F.: "The Martian Ionosphere in Light of the

Viking Observations." d. Geophys. Res., Vol. 83, pp. 3871-3876, 1978.

3-28
3-34 Smith, R. E. and West, G. S., compilers: "Space and Planetary Environment for Use in

Space Vehicle Development, 1982 Revision (Volume 1)." NASA TM 82478, 1983.

3-29

4.0 MARS SURFACE ENVIRONMENT

4.1 Principal Surface Features

4.1.1 Global Topography

Although Mars is about half the size of Earth, the land surface area of the two planets is

nearly equivalent. The Southern Hemisphere of Mars is predominantly ancient cratered

highlands somewhat similar to the Moon. In contrast, most of the Northern Hemisphere consists

of plains which are much younger and lower in elevation. The global topography of Mars (figure

4-1) shows several large scale features: the Tharsis Bulge (near the equator and 250°E), the large

southern basins of Hellas and Argyre (near 40°S and longitudes 70°E and 320°E, respectively),

and the huge equatorial canyons comprising Valles Marineris (longitudes 260°E to 330°E) just

east of the Tharsis summit. The distribution of craters is asymmetrical over the planet. The

northern third is relatively lightly cratered; the southern two-thirds is heavily cratered. Light

cratering of the north implies it is a younger region with a different crustal type or thickness.

Q," 180"

1_" O"

240" 30Or" O" 60" 120" 11_"

lurl

B

--4

-8

Figure 4-1. Mars Topography from MGS MOLA Experiment. 4-1 For a color version of

this figure, contact]erejustus(_jns.fc.nasa.gov to get a portable data format (PDF) of this

report.

Surprisingly, we now know more about the topography of Mars than about many

continental regions on Earth. Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) provided high resolution elevation

maps with precise details on potential landing and exploration sites. The Mars Orbiter Laser

4-1
Altimeter(MOLA) on MGS providestopographicdata with a vertical resolution up to

approximately 30 centimeters with along-track spatial resolution of 300 to 400 meters. 4"2 The

MOLA database with its tens of millions of elevation measurements reduced substantially the

level of topographic uncertainty. Characterization of Martian surface features is expected to

improve as these data are analyzed.

Martian topography plays an important role in determining a landing site. In particular,

the capabilities of a spacecraft's entry, descent, and landing subsystem (aeroshell, parachute, etc.)

constrain the maximum elevation of a landing site. As an example, the Mars Pathfinder spacecrat_

used aecelerometers and a special-purpose algorithm to determine when to deploy the parachute.

Since the lander descended about four kilometers after deployment before the backshell

separated, the maximum ground elevation had to be less than zero kilometers (with res4Pect to

reference datum level) to give adequate performance margin in worst-case conditions. -3 In

general, during a landing approach a radar altimeter might trigger retro-rockets too early or too

late for a safe landing when the spacecraft's horizontal drift carries it to a steep drop-off or a steep

rise. For a three-legged lander design such as the Mars Surveyor, surface slope cannot exceed 16

degrees, or a maximum of 10 degrees when allowing for a 6 degrees tilt during maximum leg

crush during lander impact. 4-3

4.1.2 Geomorphology

Like Mercury and the Moon, Mars appears at present to lack active plate tectonics. There

is no evidence of recent horizontal motion of the surface such as the folded mountains so

common on Earth. With no lateral plate motion, hot spots under the crust stay in a fixed position

relative to the surface. This may account for the Tharsis bulge and its enormous volcanoes.

There is, however, no evidence of current volcanic activity. Very clear evidence exists of ancient

erosion on Mars in the form of valley networks caused by fluid flow and outflow channels.

4.1.3 Surface Topography and Gravity

Data from Viking was sufficient to produce reasonably accurate estimates of surface

topography (figure 4-2) and its effect on surface gravity (figure 4-3). Precision orbital

observations from Mars Global Surveyor and its laser altimeter instrument are improving this

information. One presently unknown effect of topography and gravity is its influence on large

topographically-fixed atmospheric density variations seen by the aerobraking Mars Global

Surveyor. 4"4 (section 3.7)

4-2
THARSIS

OLYMPUS MONS ARGYRE BASIN

TEMPE TERRA

CHRYSE PLANITIA

SYRTIS MAJOR

HELLAS ISIDIS

ELYSIUM

180

6O

LO/vG/TO. _ O"

300

180

Figure 4-2. Mars topography represented by the 16 x 16 field of Bills

and Ferrari (1978). 4"s

THARSIS

OLYMPUS MONS ARGYRE BASIN

SYRTIS MAJOR

HELLAS BASIN

UTOPIA PLANITIA

ELYSIUM

180

120

240

180

Figure 4-3. Mars geoid deduced from the gravity model of Balmino et al.

(1982) 4"6truncated to 16 × 16.

4-3
4.2 Regolith Composition and Characteristics

4.2.1 Martian Terrain

Martian soil is the upper-most, fine-grained, and porous part of the regolith. 4-7 A thick

permafrost (mean annual temperature of less than 273°K) is believed to cover the entire planet

and extend to a depth of about one kilometer at the equator and several kilometers at the pole.

Within 40 degrees latitude of the Equator, however, the ground is permanently dehydrated to

depths of at least one meter. Depending on the permeability of the regolith, there may be water

ice below this depth. 4"s (section 4.2.7)

Extensive dune fields exist over large areas, particularly in a belt around the North Pole

and within large craters around the South Pole. The dunes form a pattern suggesting a constant

wind direction and strength. Such dunes may fail to provide the load-bearing surface required for

landing and pose a potential hazard. Whether the dune-forming processes are active or inactive is

unknown•

Information on the Martian surface is largely based on remote sensing observation and

image analysis. Observations at the two Viking and one Mars Pathfinder landing sites are not

necessarily typical of the Martian surface• Both Viking sites are very rocky compared to averages

and the Pathfinder site features an even rockier terrain• Additionally, the Pathfinder site exhibits

features consistent with formation involving sand-sized particles (particles 62 to 2000

micrometers in diameter). 49

4.2.2 Crater Density

One of the most ubiquitous features of the Mars surface is the large number of craters of

various sizes. Depending on region of the planet, the number density of 1-km diameter craters

ranges from less than 160 to about 4800 per million km 2, whereas in some areas there can be as

many as 200 or more craters per million km 2 of diameter 15 km or larger (figure 4-4).

P_IT-IPJI_ACE CA&TL1MI

e

,• . •

. . _•_5" ". "''.. • .." ..

• :." .... ." • .:"

,'___.,e.. " • _..,/

.- ¢;- _ .... . ",. -,..."

:; -.." . .

• ._ "_ ,,.. _.

_?p " " -_°4."u " ;_" ,

._- '. ". • • , ;,, " • '. :;.".*-.:' _'_..f?'_: ",,o'."

Figure 4-4. Distribution of Martian craters with diameters greater than 15

km. Large volcanoes in the Tharsis and Elysium regions and the Hellas and

•. 4-10

Argyre impact basins are also included for re_erence.

4-4
4.2.3 SoilProperties

To datetheMartianregolithat thethreelandingsiteshasbeencharacterizedasa soil-like

materialcoveredwith rocksandveryfinedust. Forreference,rockscoveredanarearanging

from8 percentoabout16percentof thesurfaceatthethreesites.Drift materialappearedto be

veryfinegrainedandporouswithlowcohesion.Themechanicalpropertiesof thesoilappeared

similarto moderatelydensesoilsonEarth,suchasclay-likesiltwith imbeddedsands,granules,

andpebbles.However,thedepositswerenotuniform.A Roverwheelproducedreflectiveruts

indicatingafine-grainedporousdepositthatiscompressible. Table 4-1 summarizes the results of

the Rover Sojourner experiment to characterize the martian surface. Table 4-2 summarizes the

basic characteristics of the martian surface and Table 4-3 lists the properties of various Martian

material analogs that might be used in Earth-based simulations. The surface material properties,

such as angle of repose, bearing strength, penetration resistance, and tendency to rut and

washboard, can then be estimated from the following:

• Acceleration of gravity at the surface (-3.7 m/s 2)

• Material properties such as cohesion, friction angle, bulk density, compressibility, and

pore fluid pressure

• Topographical configuration of the surface

• Properties of the structures placed on and in the surface materials. 4-11

4-5
4-6
Table 4-2. Material Properties of the Martian Surface. Note: cohesion is the sheer strength of rock

unrelated to interparticle friction. Adhesion is molecular attraction between contiguous surfaces. The

angle of internal friction is the portion of the sheer strength of a rock that depends on the magnitude of

the normal stress on a potential sheer fracture [after Mendell et. al., 1999]. 4"r4 See 1) Moore et a1.,4"i5;

2) Rover Team4-12; 3) Moore, et al., 4-13

Parameter Units VL Drift P Drift VL - P - Soil Rock [

I

Soil

Grain size lam 0.1-10.0 <40 lam 0.1-10.0 0.1-10 _

Density kg/m 3 1000 + 150 1200- 1400 + 200 1520 2600-2800

1300

Cohesion kPa 1.6 + 1.2 0.53 1.1 + 0.8 0.120-0.356

Adhesion Pa 0.9-79 0.9-79

Angle of internal friction deg 18.0 + 2.4 26 34.5 + 4.7 32-41

Thermal inertia W/(m2.s It2) 40-125 210-460

Specific heat J/(kg.K) 670-840 670-840

Thermal conductivity 10"5.J/(s.m .K) 103-102 0.04-0.23

Electrical conductivity S/m 10-j4 1012

VL: Viking Lander P: Pathfinder

103.104

40-60

1650-2100

670-840

1.25-2.51

10-9

Table 4-3. Properties of Possible Martian Material Analogs 4-14 4-15 4-16

Internal Thermal

Grain Size Density Cohesion Friction Inertia

Material (_tm) (kg/m 3) (kPa) (deg) [J/(m.s'a.K)]

Dielectric

Constant

Lunar 1-330 1350-1800 103-104 30-40 85-2135 2.5-3.8

Nominal

Lag gravel 1000-530,000 1400-1700 0 34 + 5 420 3-4

Dune sand 50-1000 1400-1700 0-10 3 35 + 5 250 2-4

Loess 1-1000 1000-1600 0-106 33 + 8 210 2.3-4

Rock N/A 2700-3200 10s-109 45 + 5 840 8-9

4.2.4 Tribology

The estimates of soil friction angles are considered _ood because they compare with data

• 4-Jl

on common terrestrial soils and lunar-regolith slmulants. Moore suggests that the friction

angle is a function of void ratio, grain shape, and grain mineralogy. Crude estimates of friction

angles for soil-like materials at the Viking landing sites range from 18.0 degrees + 2.4 degrees for

drift material, to 34.5 degrees + 4.7 degrees for crusty to cloddy material. 417 4-18 4-19 From soil

mechanics experiments performed on the Mars Pathfinder mission, additional estimates of the

friction angle, O, were obtained. Values of • cover the range of 15.1 degrees for drift material,

42.2 degrees for cloddy material, and 45.2 degrees for rock. 4t3

4-7
4.2.5 Chemical Composition

The Viking x-ray fluorescence spectrometer measured fine, loose material found at the

site. The Pathfinder rover's alpha proton x-ray spectrometer evaluated rock, soil, and dritt

material. These lander experiments, however, measured only the elemental composition of the

materials; the specific mineral composition can only be inferred. The specific chemical

properties measured by the three landers are listed in table 4-4.

Table 4-4. Chemical Properties of Martian Materials [at_er Mendell et al. 4"14]

Mars Earth

VL-I Surface VL-2 P Surface Oceanic

Soil Surface Soil _ Soils P Drift 3 P Rock 4 Crust

SiO2 43.0 43.0 47.9 50.2 62.0 50.7

FeO 17.3 17.1 12.0 9.9

Fe2Os 18.5 17.8

Al2Oa 7.3 7.0 8.7 8.4 10.6 15.6

SOs 6.6 8.1 5.6 5.2 0.0

MgO 6.0 6.0 7.5 7.3 2.0 7.7

CaO 5.9 5.7 6.0 7.3 11.4

Na20 2.8 1.3 2.6

K20 <0.15 <0.15 0.5 0.7 0.17

TiO2 0.66 0.56 0.9 1.3 0.7 1.5

VL: Viking Lander; P: Pathfinder. t Viking data4"2°; Pathfinder data4"212 Soil data from A-5 sample. 3 Drift

data for drift next to Mermaid rock. 4Rock data calculated based on removing the dust coating.

The Viking experiments suggest the presence of oxidants and reactive inorganic

compounds in the soil and a lack of organic material, e.g., oxygen was released when the soil was

exposed to a warm and humid environment. The long operational lifespan of the three landers,

however, suggests that chemical corrosion was not a major environmental factor. Should solar

arrays be exposed to significant amounts of water vapor, such as might be produced as a waste

product from an astronaut life-support system, anti-corrosion measures will need to be

considered.

4.2.6 Seismic Activity

Although Mars may be seismically active, the Viking seismometers failed to detect any

clear signs of seismic activity. Even so, quake protection may need consideration in the design of

equipment and structures. Table 4-5 provides information on predicted quake recurrence

intervals.

4-8
Table 4-5. Predicted Recurrence Interval for Seismic Events on Mars. 4"22

Terrestrial Magnitude

(Moment Magnitude)

Recurrence Interval

6.7 35.6 years

5.8 4.5 years

4.9 6.8 months

4.0 0.9 month

3.1 3.3 days

2.2 9.8 hours

1.3 1.2 hours

4.2.7 Sub-Surface Ice and Water

Ground ice can exist in equilibrium with the Mars atmosphere only at latitudes where

crustal temperatures are below the frost point of atmospheric water vapor (about 198 K). Ground

ice can exist below the surface down to a depth of the melting isotherm (about 273 K). Figure 4-

5 shows a latitude cross section of these relevant isotherms. Mariner remote sensing data and

more recent observations by the Russian Phobos 2 spacecraft suggest that water in some form

(absorbed in the soil, in hydration, or in the form of ice) is ubiquitous in amounts that range from

a few tenths of a percent to a few percent. Better determination of ground water character and

abundance is very important to future Mars missions for in situ resource utilization.

North Polar Cap South Polar Cap

1

5-Skin

1

Figure 4-5. Pole-to-pole cross section of the Martian crust showing

latitudinal variation in depth of 273 K melting isotherm and 198 K frost

point isotherm.

4.3 Surface Physical Characteristics

4.3.1 Rock and Boulder-Size Frequency Distribution

Much of the Martian surface features rocky terrain, including loose rocks and outcrops.

Rocks covered 14 percent of the surface at the first Viking landing site, 16 percent at the second

Viking site, and about 16 percent at the Pathfinder landing site, neglecting outcrops. Rock sizes

ranged from golf ball size to over one meter, with pebbles also found at the Pathfinder site. The

Pathfinder rocks appeared to have been transported by massive flooding from Ares Vallis. In

fact, the Ares Vailis landing site for Pathfinder was selected primarily for the opportunity to

sample a variety of rocks representing ancient crust, ridged plains, and a delta/fan channeled

4-9
terrain. For the Pathfinder mission, high rock abundance--with many closely spaced large rocks--

was considered desirable for productive science, though unfavorable for operational and safety

considerations•

Determining the size-frequency distribution of rocks is critical for determining the

potential hazards to a Mars lander. However, it is difficult to predict the size of rocks in the range

from 20 centimeters to 1 or 2 meters for different locations on Mars due to the limited data. By

fitting remote sensing data to models of rock abundance (tested against Viking lander stereo

images), Golombek and Rapp 423 determined that most of Mars is rather benign with regard to

landing on large rocks. For a total Mars rock coverage of 8 percent, only about 1 percent of the

• 4-23 •

Martian surface is covered by 20 centimeters or higher rocks. Figures 4-6 and 4-7 show that

the presence of large rocks is proportional to an exponential decrease in their frequency. 4"23

00.

SO' i """

_o- I"1 VL! Deut

ail _ Exponoatlad Fit

I Bin Oaata 30-

30-

10"

ItHIIIIIIIIII_II_IlI_IB'_'_"--. -"._ =.-_-- ) - ,

0 ! v | , i

003 0.13 0,13 0.33 0.43 O.S3

Otameter (m_

Figure 4-6. Histogram showing number of

rocks of each diameter (measured to nearest

centimeter) at Viking Lander 1 site. 423

o -

i -- Yr.20ote

E_toonentilltt Fit

0 _ - 1 -- f -- ,

0.t0 0.|0 0.30 O.ta 0.$0

A--q q J ft. I

0.110 Cl.ll'O O.Ila 0.00

O_melot (m)

Figure 4-7. Histogram showing number of

rocks of each diameter (measured to nearest

centimeter) at Viking Lander 2 site. 4"23

Golombek and Rapp 4"23concluded that a lander designed to accommodate landing on

0.5-meter high boulders, such as the Mars Pathfinder airbag system, could land on a surface

covered by about 20 percent rocks, with approximately 1 percent of the surface covered by rocks

0.5 meters or higher. Based on the rock distribution at the surface, the ability of a lander to

successfully cushion the landing impact depends on both the impact velocity vector (speed and

direction) and the sizes and shapes of the rocks. 4"23

Mars Pathfinder provided additional observations for the assessment of landing hazards

due to rock size-frequency distributions. Plots of the cumulative fractional area covered by rocks

_. , 4-24

larger than a given diameter or height are depicted in figures 4-8 and 4-9 respectively. These

plots incorporate data from both Viking sites, the Pathfinder site, and model curves for total rock

coverage.

4-10
• | ' ' I ' ' ''", " '.,,i 'I

._ • MPF

....... ...... _......._......._... [] VL1 noo/c

_... x VL2

i 0.100 ...................... _. o MPF Far-Field

[] 0 o•oo_-.. _:,"

o a

¢,,,.

.......... 20% model N_ ', x',

o" 0.010 " ' '

.... I(P_ model _ ',, ",,

• ' -,

o/_ • , I'l\ II

=_ _ 5_moael \ O, '

0,001 -,..., ........ , ...... \',',j ', ,: ,

0.01 0.10 1.00

Rock Diameter, D (m)

Figure 4-8. Cumulative Fraction of Area Covered by Rocks Versus Rock Diameter at

Pathfinder and Viking Landing Sites for Model Predictions. Figure 2 of [Golombek eta[.,]. 4"24

Data show that the cumulative area covered by rocks greater than 1-m diameter is less than 1% at

the Pathfinder landing site, consistent with model predictions.

O

O

a0.100 JO

"O

@

E=

< i 0.01o

_x

C J=

O_

.

U.

0.001

E

0

.... i .... ''| ...... i

• MPF

...................... o VL1 no o/c

*- .... × v,=

............. . • ee . 0 MPF Far-Field

_a "",_e _".

'_ ×\X '\

....... 200/omodel _k ", --

.... 10% model ", \

\ ", .

5% model in \ O \

', :

m | m ii l l | m .... i , ,_, ..... i t , , ,

o.01 0.10 1.00

Rock Height, H (m)

Figure 4-9. Cumulative Fraction of Area Covered by Rocks Versus Rock Height at

Pathfinder and Viking Landing Sites for Model Predictions. [Figure 3 in Golomhek et ai.,].4"24

Data show that the cumulative area covered by rocks greater than 0.5-m high is less than 1% at

the Pathfinder landing site, consistent with model predictions.

4-11
4.3.2 Albedo and Thermal Inertia Relation

Albedo is the fraction of radiation received by the surface that is reflected upward.

Except for polar ice cap regions, where the albedo can be about 0.6, surface albedo ranges

between about 0.1 and 0.4. Albedo, important in determining the solar and infrared radiation

balance of the surface, directly affects both soil surface temperature and air temperature

immediately above the surface. Surface albedo at ultraviolet wavelengths is not well known. For

certain sandy soils on Earth, UV aibedo can play an important role in a person's overall exposure

to UV radiation.

Thermal inertia (measured in units of 10.3 cal cm "2s "1/2Kl; section 4.3.3) also plays an

important role in surface energy budget and temperature variations. There are two modal values

of thermal inertia at about 2 to 3 units and at about 6 to 7 units. Figure 4-10 shows measured

distribution of both albedo and thermal inertia, indicating a significant negative correlation

between these two parameters.

O

2

04

0.3

O;

ooe

oQQo* ....

o_oeoooeeeoe.

• • • • • Q Q I Q 0 _Q Q e • •

• • O 0 Q 0 0 0 010 e Q *

• * oO00OO * * • •

• • • OOo O o • o • •

• • oOOOO0 • • t *

eooOOOOoOOo

eooo eeo

• *o .... ,e

1 10 •

11.25 *

26-50 *

51-100 •

101.150 •

151-200 •

lot-250 Q

301-400 •

40 |-._[]JO •

501.600 •

• * • .....

I _ : ,' J , , i [, I

Thermatl Inertia

Figure 4-10, Mars surface thermal inertia versus albedo. The size of each

dot gives the number of 2° x 2° latitude-longitude bins which have a given

combination of aibedo and thermal inertia, X's indicate the Viking lander

sites. 4"25

4.3.3 Thermal Inertia

Given the current limitations of remote sensing, the overall rock abundance comes from

comparing diurnal behavior of infrared temperatures at several wavelengths and comparing to

models. Thermal inertia is the rate at which the surface heats and cools when exposed to the Sun.

Loose dust has a very low thermal inertia while large rocks and outcrops have very high thermal

inertia. 4-3 Figure 4-1 1 depicts the relationship of thermal inertia to regolith material; figure 4-12

provides the global distribution. 426 4-27

4-12
lelO0

Rock Blocks

Outcrops of Rock

Cemented Boilllke /_

M.t.ri.I. / i

4ml m

Cohesivl Cohesionless--IlIP

Dusts

1

8 S 4 2 -S.4-3-2- I 0 1

Log1 0 Cohesion, Log I 0 Particle Diameter,

in Pascals in Meters

Figure 4-11. Relationship between Thermal Inertia and Size of Cohesionless Particles;

Hypothetical Relationship Between Thermal Inertia and Cohesive or Cemented Soil-Like

Materials and Rock The scale from 8 to 2 corresponds to the Logl0(cohesion) while the -5 to 1

scale corresponds to Logl0(particle diameter). 4"3

60 °

40"

20"

O"

--20"

40 °

-60=

180" 150" 120" 90" 60" 30" O* 330 ° 300" 2 tO" 240" 2 _ 0 ° ! 8C, °

I I I

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 I 8 ".4 'tO 1_ 12

Figure 4-12. Mars Surface Thermal Inertia Map (10 "s cal / cm z sIn K). Data were compiled

from Viking IRTM sequences. 4"28 For a color version of this figure, contact

/ere./ustus@mslCc. nasa.gov to get a PDF version of this report.

4-t3
4.3.4 Albedo

Albedo is a measure of the percentage of incident solar radiation reflected from a given

surface. Albedo is inversely correlated with thermal inertia on Mars. 4"254-29 4-30 (figure 4-10)

Very dark areas are indicative of rock outcroppings or substantial blocks of rock without heavy

dust coating. Bright regions tend to have low bulk thermal inertias which may indicate a dusty

environment. Hence, areas having high albedos are not attractive as landing sites due to the

potential of dust which can coat solar arrays and hinder rover mobility. 4"3

4.4 Radar Observations

4.4.1 Normal Reflectivity

Landing site evaluations include normal reflectivity because the surface must be

sufficiently reflective for detection by a radar altimeter during 4 descent. 4"3 Furthermore, the

reflectivity is related to the bulk density of surface materials 4"31 .32 as indicated by figure 4-13.

Low reflectivity coupled with a low thermal inertia may be associated with the presence of loose

dust which could coat solar cell arrays and interfere with rover operations. The uppermost few

centimeters of surfaces can be assessed by their IR - measured thermal inertia, by Viking IRTM 4"33

and MGS TES. Low thermal inertias imply finer material. Deeper layers can be probed by Earthbased 4-34 and preferably orbital radar. A low albedo is one straightforward clue to the absence of

deep dust layers since even a thin layer of dust is light in color. Sites with a moderate reflectivity

are considered more suitable than those with low reflectivity because they imply the presence of

dense, trafficable material with little loose dust. 4-3

Landing in conditions of high near-surface saltation (sand motion) may also be

problematic to a lander physically, but such windborne millimeter-sized debris is not likely to

cause problems for landers using centimeter-wavelength radar altimeters to determine closing

velocity and altitude. The saltation zone is unlikely to be deep and the particles are too small to

affect the radar return.

4-14
0.2

.... I .... I .... I .... i .... /l_'pl/_" "

after Olhoeft and /I/--

_>' 0.15 Strangway, 1975 / / /

0

_ 0.1

E

Z 0.05 //r. /

1,f-"

_J _ _ .

0 /., I , ,.. I-- -- I .... I .... I ....

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Bulk Density, In kilograms per cublc meter

Figure 4-13. Relationship between Normal Reflectivity and Bulk Density of Dry Soillike

Materials and Rock Based on Results for Lunar Rocks and Soil. Original data and equation

relate dielectric constant with density, 4"32 reflectivity has been calculated using dielectric constant

and the Fresnel reflection coefficient. 4"3s Solid line corresponds to fit to data and dashed lines to

one standard deviation. 43

4.4.2 Root-Mean-Square Slope

The slope or surface tilt of a potential landing site is greatly important in site evaluation.

The slope of the site must be able to accommodate the horizontal velocity of the lander at touch

down without tipping the lander. The slope must not be so great that the center-of-mass of the

lander extends beyond its base and causes the lander to topple. Finally, the slope must be small

enough that the solar panels and instrumentation of the lander are not hindered or compromised.

For example, the environmental requirements document for the Mars Surveyor program specified

the permissible landing site tilt angle requirement as no more than 10 degrees.

Estimates of surface slopes are obtained from measurements of the dispersion of radar

returns in both time and frequency. The root-mean-square (rms) slope is a statistical measure of

the probability distribution of surface slopes determined from the quasi-specular component of

the radar return. 4"27 Quasi-specular returns arise from surfaces on the scale of radar wavelengths

and larger which are oriented for mirror-like reflection. Typical values ofrms slopes for Mars are

from 2 to 4 degrees which is smoother than the Moon. 427 However, in cratered regions (volcanic

or impact) the rms slope has been observed from 5 to 10 degrees.

4-15
4.5 Mars Surface Ionizing Radiation Environment Definition

Mars transportation vehicles may be required to reside on the Mastian surface for long

periods of time (up to 2 years) prior to crew arrival. Because crew stays and surface operations

can be for several months as well, vehicles must be designed to meet their performance

requirements during and after prolonged exposure to the surface ionizing radiation environment.

Since no measurements of this environment have been made, modeling is the only way to

estimate it. Our knowledge of the surface environment is, thus, theoretically based and suffers

from an incomplete understanding of the physical interactions of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and

Solar Particle Events (SPE) with the Martian atmosphere, Martian surface, and intervening shield

materials. In these interactions, multiple charged ions are reduced in size and secondary particles

are generated, including neutrons. Upon impact with the Martian surface, the character of the

interactions changes as a result of the differing nuclear constituents of the surface materials.

Among the surface environment are many neutrons diffusing from the Martian surface and

especially prominent are energetic neutrons with energies up to a few hundred MeV.

An important component of Mars surface robotic exploration is the opportunity to test our

understanding of the Mars surface environment. The Mars 2001 orbiter mission will have the

first radiation detectors operating from Martian orbit and will provide a unique opportunity to

measure the Mars ionizing radiation environment.

4.5.1 Particle Fluence Spectra

Transportation vehicle designers must know the total integrated dose and linear energy

transfer (LET) environments to design robust hardware. To calculate these environments on the

surface of Mars the particle energy distributions at the top of the Martian atmosphere must be

estimated. This section describes the estimates and transport calculations; the following two

sections describe the total dose and LET anticipated on the surface.

The annual fluence spectra at Mars were evaluated assuming a _r radial dependence

with distance from the Sun of the diffusion coefficient. 4"36 The functional form of this

dependence is not widely agreed upon but some assumption is necessary. The projected BadhwarO'Neill model 4"374-38 for GCR in 1977 (solar minimum, figure 4-14) and 1980 (solar maximum,

figure 4-15) and the estimated September 29, 1989 SPE model 4"39shown in figure 4-16 are used

as boundary conditions at the top of the Martian atmosphere. We assume the Martian atmosphere

to be CO2 and distributed according to the COSPAR low-density model. 4-4° The Martian surface

is taken as regolith (58.2% SiO2, 23.7% Fe203, 10.8% MgO, 7.3% CaO) with minimal

differences in transport properties from Martian bedrock. 4"4t The transport code used to describe

the interaction of the space environment with the Martian atmosphere and surface is the HZETRN

code, 4"42 which has been recently improved in the description of angular dependent neutron

transport and corresponding boundary conditions. 443

The HZETRN model solves the Boltzmann transport equations at the interface of the

atmosphere and surface. The calculations treat the interaction of all nucleonic and nuclear

particles including neutrons. Many new isotopes are produced in the interactions. The

calculations presently ignore the pion components, related muons, and electromagnetic cascades.

Accuracy of the calculations can be judged by comparisons with shuttle measurements using a

tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) shown separately in figure 4-17 for the resolved

GCR component and trapped proton component. The fact that the trapped radiations show

4-16
greateragreement is in part due to the neglected mesons which are of little importance in the

trapped radiation interactions. Added to the surface particle fields are the neutrons which are

produced in penetrating the atmosphere and appear as an albedo component produced by

interactions in the Martian surface materials. The albedo neutrons from the surface tend to

dominate the neutron fields for energies less than 100 to 200 MeV.

1.E+09

1.E'¢-07

1E+03

1.E+02

1.E+01

1.E-02 1.E-01 1 E+O0 1,E+01 1E+02 1.E+03 1E+04 1.E+05

E, A MeV

Figure 4-14. The 1977 solar minimum galactic cosmic annual integral fluence

spectra for various charge groups.

4-17
l.E.,t.08

1.E+07

I,E_06

-=

1.E*C5

o

1.E',-04

e

1.E*03

I,E_'.02

1.E_,,.01

1 .E-02 1 E+03

: : ::::

: : ::::

'i iiill

i iiii

i i iii

: ! _!!!

: ::::

iiii]

i iiii

: ::::

I I T|;

i_iii

: ::::

: ::::

; ;;;;;

: ::;:

: ::::

, , ,,,

1.E-01

i _!iiiii

..... I

! : :::::

; : 1till

, J :::::

; ; : ::::

; ::::::

; l[lli

, , ,,H,

; : :::::

!!!!]!!

ii iiiii

i;i:_;ii

iiiiill

: : :::::

: : ;;;;;

i iilliI

: : :::::

; : :::::

; :;:;::

i !!!!!!

: : :::::

1 .E+I_

; i ! i iiiii

: : :::::

! iii_,i,,.

, .... ,.

'_!. !11111 _.

"_klIIIII \

I I III]1_

bJllllH \_

I llll

"_.i i i{.;. ,

; :::;:; %.

iiiiiil

iii • . .::::.... i_

; ;;;;;; ;

i{11111 i

iiiiiii

l [Itlll I

1.E*O4 1E,"O5

Figure 4-15. The 1980 solar maximum galactic cosmic annual integral fluence

spectra for various charge groups.

1.E*10

1.E+09

1.E+08

¢d

E

t,,,1

f,_ 1.E+07

"_ 1.E+O_

1.E÷_ _

1.E+04

I.E+O_ --

1.E+01

"_ ::]::::1- ----'--

___

______ __-_ __

lrE÷O_ 1. E+OG 1.E+04

E, MeV/amu

Figure 4-16. The September 29, 1989 solar particle event integral fluence spectra

for various charge groups.

4-18
_" 106

_ 104

102

E

loO

>_

,..I m

_ 10-1

........ i i ........ = ........

Calculation (HZETRN +

TEPC response)

• TEPC data

• "• STS-57

10 0 101 10 2 ullll 10 3

Lineal energy, keV/pm

(a) GCR ions

:d.

104

9

,_ 102

_" too

x"

,_10-2

E

=_=10-4

a 10_ 1

10 6 ........ , ........ i ........ i ........ , .......

-- Calculation (HZETRN +

TEPC response)

_,_ TEPC data

• ",Q 100 101 102

Lineal energy, keV/_m

(b) Trapped protons

10 3 10 4

Figure 4-17• Comparison of HZETRN with measurements with a tissue equivalent

proportional counter on STS-57.

The surface environment generated by the GCR for solar minimum and solar maximum

is shown, respectively, in figures 4-18 and 4-19, respectively. The highly charged ions are

attenuated by the interaction with the Martian atmosphere contributing to the lighter ion fields

and neutrons. Impact with the Martian surface generates a backward flux of neutrons extending

to a few hundred MeV as seen in the figures. Due to the higher atomic weight elements of the

regolith (and bedrock), the backward neutron flux is appreciable compared to the forward

propagating component produced in collision with atmospheric components. This effect is also

seen in the surface environment generated by a high energy SPE which occurred on September

29, 1989 (figure 4-20).

4-19
1E+07

1.E*06

1 ,E+OS ...... ; ; ;;;_:;; IIIHII [ ] I_%JJl_ r _llillll

'. ! ! '.',',_.'.I 1 I ....... i i l i _ Illlll ) I'_kllHI] _ I IIJ[[I

e. I.E+04.

E 1.E-02 1.E_)1 1.E+OO 1E+01 1E+02 rE+03 IE*04 1E+05

E, A MeV

Figure 4-18. Integral spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by the

1977 solar minimum galactic cosmic rays.

1.E-01 1.E+O0 1E+01

E, A MeV

1.E_3 1.E+04 1.E_5

Figure 4-19. Integral spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by the

1980 solar maximum galactic cosmic rays.

4-20
I_E+0O

I L_,11',I "'1"I_r ],1._-.-.._

tS.*-O7 I f]llil I [llIH

i IIIill I t IIIII

1.E,,O6 I llrlll ! llllll

i iiiii] i i IIIII

[ ]111II [ ! IIIll

I Ilil[I I tlliiI 1.E+05

,,,H 1 !!!!!H !!!!!q

_ ....... ] lil]ll ii ..... illll

e *.E*_ I I11111 ! llllll

i iiiii[ ! !!!!!!

i ili,H , i llJl,

I [ I I IH I I I I EJL

I I IIIII Ill[IN J llJlt

i _',',',:', .......

....... I I ',]III

I rllIrl [ I illll

1,E+01 I ]lllll

:

I

:

I

:

I

:::::

IIN

= I III',;', ] lll=li

I [ ][i[Ii ] lllIH

l.E,,Oo I llI[llI I Illlli

1.E-.02 1.E-O1 1E+00

i _ .... ' ::::::- i il ::;; i i_ :_::

[ ] II111 I I 1 l._dl- I I III11 I I Illll

_'Hg4.L_Ii _ I1[11tl IIIIIli

i i:_iiii - --..ii i:-xi. " : :_....

I I I_k,L _l Illll I I I llll

I i!!!!! I !!!!!!\ llllllr

: ::iiii Tii::_: . . ::::-.: i i:: :

i il,,,_ ItlllII N i',;',;?',_ .......

i i : "_:1 1 [ fill: i i _1:11 I i IIlll

= ,;;;_; I I I_'_=', ,,;',,;li I f(litl

f lilrll I Illlll I IlI_[ _ I ]IIl[I

I t II1I1--'-" _[J_ IIII_ I IIII{'N _ i Jlillf

• i ..... i i i i:.'--'.._" . i ..... ". ..........

Illl ..................

,=,,], • I IIIllt

[ ]]llll j 111'I( IJl "" I ]lilII % F lil[Ij

! ! !!!!!! \:1 tl]lil ! Illlll

_ _llifl !i ...... _,N ',I',I ;:' '_'_','_I',:

....... IIINE iililli

i i i _1,:_ __

i !!jl!lt lill_---._djlll ' IIIl/ll

: iiiiiii .................... -i iiiiii

...... ] -T,=W_, ,,% ..........

, illttt 11]],_ ..........

i 11]111"% Illil[I

1E+01 I.E+(_ 1E+03 1E+04

E, AMIV

Figure 4-20. Integral spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by the

September 29, 1989 solar particle event.

4.5.2 Dose to Electronic Devices and Surface Coatings

Devices and polymeric materials are sensitive to accumulative charge generated in the

device or the total number of chemically active free radicals produced. Both quantities (total

charge or total free radicals) are determined by the energy absorbed per unit mass (i.e., dose) by

the device or material from the radiation field. Shielding is often used to reduce the dose but its

effectiveness depends on the characteristics of the incident radiation and its interaction with the

shield material. The absorbed dose depends on the composition of the device or material.

Experimental degradation data is usually expressed in terms of the monitored exposure database

normally expressed in units of the device to monitor the test, namely a silicon detector. There

absorbed dose in silicon is the normal unit of exposure and is traditionally expressed in units of

rad-Si equal to 100 ergs per gram or in modem SI units of Gray-Si equal to one joule per

kilogram (note 1 rad is equal to 10 mGy or 1 cGy). The shield considered in the present

calculation is a spherical shield of equivalent aluminum enclosing the device or material. The

annual dose delivered to a device or material protected by a spherical aluminum shield from the

surface radiation during the 1977 solar minimum is given in table 4-6. Similar results during the

1980 solar maximum are shown in table 4-7 and for the September 29, 1989 solar particle event

in table 4-8.

4.5.3 Single Event Effects Environment

The passage of an energetic charged ion through an element of an electronic device

releases electrons from atomic orbitals of the device materials. The number of electrons released

is proportional to the ion charge squared and can be very large for multiple charged ions. The

resulting electron-hole pairs result in transient currents and other damage mechanisms resulting in

possible single event upsets (SEE), latchup, burnout. The distinguishing characteristic of the ion

4-21
Table 4-6. Annual dose in silicon inside a spherical shell shield of equivalent aluminum on

the Martian surface during the 1977 solar minimum.

Equivalent aluminum thickness, mil Dose in a spherical shell shield, rads-Si

0 7.46

50 (1.27 mm) 7.55

500 (12.7 ram) 7.51

1000 (25.4 mm) 7.45

2000 (50.8 mm) 7.33

4000 (I01.6 mm) 7.06

7000 (177.8 ram) 6.63

Table 4-7. Annual dose in silicon inside a spherical shell shield of equivalent aluminum on

the Martian surface during the 1980 solar maximum.

Equivalent aluminum thickness, mil Dose in a spherical shell shield, rads-Si

0 2.64

50 (1.27 mm) 2.68

500 (12.7 mm) 2.71

1000 (25.4 mm) 2.72

2000 (50.8 mm) 2.73

4000 (101.6 mm) 2.72

7000 (177.8 mm) 2.65

Table 4-8. Dose in silicon inside a spherical shell shield of equivalent aluminum on the

Martian surface during the September 29, 1989 solar particle event.

Equivalent aluminum thickness, mil Dose in a spherical shell shield, rads-Si

0 2.18

50 (1.27 mm) 2.14

500 (12.7 ram) 1.76

1000 (25.4 ram)

2000 (50.8 ram)

4000 (101.6 ram)

! .46

1.08

0.68

7000 (177.8 ram) 0.4 i

is its rate of linear energy transfer (LET) to the medium characterized by the energy lost by the

ion per unit pathlength. The number of such SEE occurrences is related to the number of

particles whose LET is above some threshold value for the effect to occur. The integral LET

spectra are evaluated herein for silicon devices and, therefore, expressed as LET in Si. The

integral LET spectrum within various aluminum spherical shell shields of given thickness is

given for the 1977 solar minimum in table 4-9 and shown in figure 4-21. The corresponding

values for the 1980 solar maximum and the September 29, 1989 solar particle event are given in

tables 4-10 and 4-11. A graphical presentation is shown in figures 4-22 and 4-23.

4-22
Table 4-9. Annual fluence spectra of LET in silicon within spherical shells of equivalent

aluminum shielding on the Martian surface during 1977 solar minimum.

LET,

MeV-cm2/mg

1.235E-03

1.525E-03

1.884E-03

2.326E-03

2.873E-03

3.548E-03

4.382E-03

5.412E-03

6.683E-03

8.254E-03

1.019E-02

1.259E-02

1.555E-02

Annual fluence (particles/cm z) with > LET within equivalent aluminum shield of0 50 mil 500 mil 1000 mil 2000 mil 4000 mii 7000 mil

(1.27 mm) (12.7 mm) (25.4 mm) (50.8 ram) (101.6 mm) (177.8 ram)

1.006E+08 1.007E+08 1.003E+08 9.958E+07 9.783E+07 9.345E+07 8.590E+07

1.006E+08 1.007E+08 1.003E+08 9.958E+07 9.783E+07 9.345E+07 8.590E+07

6.147E+07 6.161E+07 6.189E+07 6.196E+07 6.170E+07 6.021E+07 5.671E+07

4.069E+07 4.086E+07 4.137E+07 4.170E+07 4.198E+07 4.161E+07 3.984E+07

3.132E+07 3.149E+07 3.199E+07 3.232E+07 3.265E+07 3.249E+07 3.122E+07

2.478E+07

1.979E+07

1.587E+07

i.284E+07

8.445E+06

6.033E+06

4.368E+06

2.494E+07

1.993E+07

1.600E+07

1.296E+07

8.561E+06

6.144E+06

4.471E+06

3.280E+06

2.535E+07

2.023E+07

1.618E+07

1.303E+07

8.650E+06

6.203E+06

4.507E+06

3.298E+06

2.561E+07

2.038E+07

1.623E+07

!.299E+07

8.658E+06

6.197E+06

4.491E+06

3.277E+06

2.585E+07

2.049E+07

1.620E+07

1.284E+07

8.626E+06

6.166E+06

4.459E+06

3.185E+06 3.245E+06

2.569E+07

2.023E+07

1.583E+07

1.238E+07

8.442E+06

6.040E+06

4.363E+06

3.166E+06

2.466E+07

1.932E+07

1.499E+07

1.157E+07

8.046E+06

5.776E+06

4.174E+06

3.026E+06

1.920E-02 2.321E+06 2.407E+06 2.413E+06 2.391E+06 2.359E+06 2.294E+06 2.189E+06

2.371E-02 1.721E+06 1.797E+06 1.791E+06 1.769E+06 1.738E+06 1.677E+06 1.593E+06

2.929E-02 1.288E+06 1.352E+06 1.341E+06 1.319E+06 1.287E+06 1.232E+06 1.163E+06

9.812E+05

7.509E+05

3.617E-02 1.017E+06

7.719E+05

5.927E+05

9.630E+05

7.205E+05

5.437E+05

3.988E+05

3.001E+05

4.393E+05

3.357E+05

1.032E+06

7.894E+05

6.118E+05

4.565E+05

3.520E+05

4.467E-02

5.517E-02

6.813E-02

8.414E-02

9.124E+05

6.745E+05

5.011E+05

3.645E+05

2.708E+05

5.834E+05

9.950E+05

7.511E+05

5.732E+05

4.229E+05

3.213E+05

4.363E+05

3.376E+05

8.535E+05

6.253E+05

4.589E+05

3.324E+05

2.442E+05

1.039E-01 2.564E+05 2.664E+05 2.525E+05 2.406E+05 2.227E+05 !.988E+05 1.787E+05

1.283E-01 !.809E+05 i.880E+05 !.784E+05 1.700E+05 1.580E+05 1.431E+05 1.301E+05

1.585E-01 1.365E+05 1.415E+05 1.336E+05 !.272E+05 1.181E+05 1.064E+05 9.705E+04

1.957E-01 !.019E+05 1.053E+05 9.922E+04 9.413E+04 8.738E+04 7.869E+04 7.210E+04

2.417E-01 7.768E+04 7.970E+04 7.490E+04 7.104E+04 6.552E+04 5.882E+04 5.414E+04

2.985E-01 5.480E+04 5.591E+04 5.265E+04 5.005E+04 4.619E+04 4.182E+04 3.907E+04

3.687E-01 3.850E+04 3.918E+04 3.679E+04 3.486E+04 3.205E+04 2.958E+04 2.774E+04

4.553E-01 2.692E+04 2.723E+04 2.555E+04 2.398E+04 2.228E+04 2.035E+04 1.916E+04

5.624E-01 1.803E+04 1.799E+04 1.660E+04 1.554E+04 1.411E+04 1.269E+04 1.189E+04

6.945E-01 1.248E+04 1.244E+04 1.138E+04 1.054E+04 9.427E+03 8.315E+03 7.706E+03

8.307E+03

5.326E+03

8.577E-01

1.059E+00

1.308E+00

1.616E+00

!.995E+00

2.464E+00

3.043E+00

3.758E+00

4.642E+00

5.733E+00

7.080E+00

8.743E+00

1.080E+01

2.429E+03

8.011E+02

8.340E+03

5.345E+03

5.129E+O3

2.905E+03

1.305E+03

1.478E+02

7.508E+03

4.714E+03

2.135E+03

6.851E+03 5.983E+03

3.555E+03

1.592E+03

3.307E+02

4.219E+03

!.895E+03

6.478E+02 5.136E+02

2.430E+03

8.193E+02

4.674E+03

2.584E+03

1.334E+01

1.647E+01

2.034E+01

2.512E+01

3.102E+01

1.176E+03

4.994E+01

4.746E+02 4.652E+02 3.761E+02 2.979E+02 1.916E+02 8.578E+01 2.913E+01

2.794E+02 2.746E+02 2.220E+02 1.757E+02 1.130E+02 5.057E+01 1.725E+01

1.653E+02 1.630E+02 1.317E+02 1.043E+02 6.688E+01 2.988E+01 1.012E+OI

9.753E+01 9.655E+01 7.791E+01 6.153E+01 3.948E+01 1.753E+01 5.901E+00

5.684E+01 5.641E+01 4.552E+01 3.587E+01 2.279E+01 i.006E+OI 3.329E+00

3.259E+01 3.253E+01 2.614E+01 2.056E+01 1.299E+01 5.652E+00 1.821E+00

1.819E+01 1.816E+01 1.464E+01 1.141E+01 7.175E+00 3.046E+00 9.742E-01

9.921E+00 9.911E+00 7.908E+00 6.143E+00 3.830E+00 !.604E+00 4.911E-01

5.236E+00

2.588E+00

5.217E+00 3.21 IE+00 8.169E-01

2.568E+00 1.561E+00 3.832E-01

1.983E+00

9.554E-01

4.149E+00

2.036E+00

2.424E-01

I.I06E-01

1.158E+00 i.172E+00 9.198E-01 7.029E-01 4.235E-01 1.666E-01 4.620E-02

4.587E-01 4.672E-01 3.636E-01 2.758E-01 i.638E-01 6.223E-02 1.650E-02

1.188E-01

1.038E-03

1.451E-02

1.001E-04

4.071E-02

3.052E-04

1.229E-01

1.038E-03

9.567E-02 7.087E-02

7.744E-04 5.569E-04

3.582E-03

2.074E-05

4-23
LET, MeV-cmZlm g

Figure 4-21. Integral LET spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by

the 1977 solar minimum galactic cosmic rays.

4-24
Table 4-10. Annual fluence spectra of LET in silicon within spherical shells of equivalent

aluminum shielding on the Martian surface during 1980 solar maximum.

LET,

MeV-cm2/mg

1.235E-03

1.525E-03

1.884E-03

2.326E-03

2.873E-03

3.548E-03

4.382E-03

5.412E-03

6.683E-03

8.254E-03

1.019E-02

i.259E-02

1.555E-02

1.920E-02

2.371E-02

2.929E-02

3.617E-02

4.467E-02

5.517E-02

6.813E-02

8.414E-02

1.039E-O I

1.283E-01

Annual fluence (particles/cm') with > LET within equivalent aluminum shield of3.526E+07

3.526E+07

1.928E+07

1.216E+07

1.002E+07

8.363E+06

6.947E+06

50 mil

(I.27 mm)

3.533E+07

3.533E+07

1.938E+07

1.226E+07

1.011E+07

8.451E+06

500 mil

(12.7 mm)

3.556E+07

3.556E+07

1.978E+07

1.270E+07

1.049E+07

8.757E+06

1000 mil

(25.4 mm)

3.566E+07

3,566E+07

2.009E+07

1.304E+07

1.078E+07

8.979E+06

2000 mil

(50.8 mm)

3.567E+07

3.567E+07

2.052E+07

1.355E+07

I.119E+07

9.282E+06

4000 mil

(101.6 mm)

3.516E+07

3.516E+07

2.087E+07

1.410E+07

1.162E+07

9.571E+06

7000 mil

(177.8 mm)

3.366E+07

3.366E+07

2.069E+07

1.429E+07

I. 173E+07

9.598E+06

7.026E+06 7.259E+06 7.413E+06 7.608E+06 7.764E+06 7.713E+06

5.740E+06 5.811E+06 5.977E+06 6.068E+06 6.169E+06 6.211E+06 6.095E+06

4.752E+06 4.922E+06

3.041E+06

2.205E+06

1.633E+06

1.220E+06

9.073E+05

6.859E+05

5.207E+05

4.006E+05

3.067E+05

2.378E+05

1.749E+05

1.354E+05

1.022E+05

7.065E+04

2.863E+06

2.061E+06

1.519E+06

1.131E+06

8.381E+05

6.341E+05

4.829E+05

4.962E+06

3.099E+06

2.243E+06

i.655E+06

1.231E+06

9.121E+05

6.866E+05

5.185E+05

3.965E+05

3.016E+05

2.324E+05

1.705E+05

1.311E+05

9.853E+04

6.835E+04

4.815E+06

2.927E+06

2.120E+06

1.572E+06

1.179E+06

8.804E+05

6.705E+05

4.987E+06

3.175E+06

2.295E+06

1.687E+06

1.249E+06

9.205E+05

6.881E+05

5.157E+05

3.905E+05

2.943E+05

2.241E+05

1.637E+05

1.246E+05

9.289E+04

6.517E+04

5.130E+05

3.982E+05

3.078E+05

2.412E+05

1.786E+05

1.394E+05

1.061E+05

4.940E+06

3.244E+06

2.347E+06

1.719E+06

1.265E+06

9.266E+05

6.858E+05

5.086E+05

3.803E+05

2.828E+05

2.117E+05

!.536E+05

1.152E+05

8.500E+04

7.306E+O4 6.066E+04

3.745E+05

2.897E+05

2.280E+05

1.691E+05

1.328E+05

1.014E+05

6.970E+04

4.774E+06

3.246E+06

2.354E+O6

!. 721E+06

1.261E+06

9.203E+05

6.755E+05

4.965E+O5

3.668E+05

2.698E+05

1.991E+05

1.443E+05

1.067E+05

7.815E+04

5.679E+04

1.585E-01 5.364E+04 5.595E+04 5.385E+04 5.197E+04 4.916E+04 4.555E+04 4.253E+O4

1.957E-01 4.043E+04 4.202E+04 4.026E+04 3.877E+04 3.659E+04 3.389E+04 3.163E+04

2.417E-01 3.154E+04 3.247E+04 3.093E+04 2.967E+04 2.779E+04 2.551E+04 2.377E+04

2.985E-01 2.192E+04 2.242E+04 2.141E+04 2.054E+04 1.936E+04 1.804E+04 1.712E+04

3.687E-01 1.546E+04 1.576E+04 1.497E+04 1.431E+04 1.341E+04 1.262E+04 1.212E+04

4.553E-01 1.084E+04 1.098E+04 1.045E+04

5.624E-01 7.417E+03 7.405E+03 6.926E+03

6.945E-01 5.242E+03 5.230E+03 4.840E+03

9.991E+03 9.497E+03 8.767E+03 8.330E+03

6.549E+03 6.029E+03 5.481E+03 5.184E+03

4.522E+03 4.082E+O3 3.615E+03 3.365E+03

8.577E-01 3.568E+03 3.555E+03 3.249E+03 2.991E+03 2.626E+03 2.246E+03 2.043E+03

1.059E+00 2.322E+03 2.312E+03 2.071E+03 i.865E+03 1.577E+03 1.281E+03 1.130E+03

1.308E+00 9.207E+02 9.230E+02 8.302E+02 7.545E+02 6.515E+02 5.526E+02 5.071E+02

1.616E+00 2.709E+02 2.660E+02 2.239E+02 1.847E+02 1.269E+02 6.214E+01 2.283E+01

1.995E+00 1.528E+02 1.503E+02 i.268E+02 1.048E+02 7.223E+01 3.562E+01 1.319E+01

2.464E+00 8.878E+01 8.765E+01 7.413E+01 6.122E+01 4.228E+01 2.092E+01 7.771E+00

3.043E+00 5.221E+01 5.172E+01 4.382E+01 3.617E+01 2.500E+01 1.236E+01 4.598E+00

3.758E+00 3.089E+01 3.069E+01 2.601E+01 2.147E+01 1.480E+01 7.281E+00 2.702E+00

4.642E+00 1.809E+01 1.808E+01 1.529E+01 1.261E+01 8.629E+00 4.247E+00 1.555E+00

5.733E+00 1.050E+01 1.055E+01 8.914E+00 7.303E+00 5.043E+00 2.442E+00 8.843E-01

7.080E+00 5.957E+00 5.973E+00 5.029E+00 4.131E+00 2.801E+00 1.325E+00 4.713E-01

8.743E+00 3.305E+00 3.329E+00 2.785E+00 2.278E+00 1.530E+00 7.206E-01 2.481E-01

1.080E+01 1.762E+00 1.778E+00 1.490E+00 1.208E+00 8.074E-01 3.744E-01 1.245E-01

!.334E+01 8.797E-01 8.941E-01 7.433Eo01 5.998E-01 3.983E-01 1.803E-01 5.808E-02

1.647E+01 4.050E-01 4.116E-01 3.406E-01 2.744E-01 1.797E-01 7.939E-02 2.483E-02

2.034E+01 1.607E-01 1.657E-01 1.352E-01 1.080E-01 6.965E-O2 3.004E-02 8.895E-03

2.512E+01 4.194E-02 4.348E-02 3.555E-02 2.779E-02 1.752E-02 7.136E-03 1.943E-03

3.102E+01 3.586E-04 3.891E-04 2.937E-04 2.384E-04 1.335E-04 4.864E-05 1.156E-05

4-25
Table 4-11. Fluence spectra of LET in silicon within spherical shells of equivalent

aluminum shielding on the Martian surface during the September 29, 1989 solar particle

event.

LET,

MeV-cm2/mg

Event fluence (particles/cm z) with > LET within equivalent aluminum shield of50 rail

(1.27 mm)

500 rail

(12.7 mm)

1000 rail

(25.4 mm)

2000 mil

(50.8 ram)

4000 mil

(101.6 mm)

7000 mil

(177.8 mm)

1.235E-03 1.991E+07 1.956E+07 1.676E+07 1.441E+07 1.112E+07 7.323E+06 4.464E+06

1.'525E,-03 1.991E+07 1.956E+07 1.676E+07 1.441E+07 I, 112E+07 7.323 E+06 4,464E+06

1.884E-03 1.937E+07 1.902E+07 1,624E+07 1.392E+07 1.067E+07 6,943E+06 4.171E+06

2.326E-03 1.791E+07 1.757E+07 !.488E+07 1,263E+07 9.522E+06 6.036E+06 3.52 !E+06

2.873E-03 1.581E+07 1.549E+07 1.295E+07 !.086E+07 8.017E+06 4.928E+06 2.796E+06

3.548E-03 1.323E+07 1,293E+07 1.065E+07 8.799E+06 6.351E+06 3.792E+06 2. 108E+06

4.382E-03 1,046E+07 1.021E+07 8.270E+06 6.736E+06 4.762E+06 2.781E+06 1.532E+06

5.412E-03 7.838E+06 7.637E+06 6.095E+06 4.903E+06 3.41 IE+06 1.967E+06 1.085E+06

6.683E-03 5.616E+06' 5.465E+06 4.309E+06 3.434E+06 2.365E+06 7.570E+05

8.254E-03 3,886E+06 3.780E+06 2.341E+06 1.605E+06

1.359E+06

2.955E+06 9.265E+05 5,234E+05

!.019E-02 2.626E+06 2,554E+06 1.986E+06 1.569E+06 1.076E+06 6.271E+05 3.603E+05

1,259E-02 1.746E+06 1.700E+06 1.319E+06 1.042E+06 7.172E+05 4.231E+05 2.475E+05

1,555E-02 1,151E+06 1.123E+06 8.705E+05 6.886E+05 4.770E+05 2.857E+05 1.702E+05

1.920E-02 7.544E+05 7.383E+05 5,731E+05 4,548E+05 3,176E+05 1,932E+05 I. 172E+05

2.371E-02 4.937E+05 4,850E+05 3.776E+05 3.009E+05 2.122E+05 1.314E+05 8.120E+04

2.929E-02 3.227E+05 3:189E+05 2.491E+05 1,996E+05 1,423E+05 8.966E+04 5.648E+04

3.617E-02 2.117E+05 2.104E+05 1.650E+05 1.332E+05 9.604E+04 6.158E+04 3.954E+04

4.467E-02 !.394E+05 1.392E+05 1.098E+05 8.930E+04 6.526E+04 4.259E+04 2.789E+04

5.517E-.02 9.204E+04 9.262E+04 7,345E+04 6.018E+04 4.458E+O4 2.967E+04 1.980E+04

6.8 ! 3E-02 6.100E+04 6.177E+04 4,929E+04 4.069E+04 3.056E+04 2.076E+04 1.411E+04

8.414E-02 4,049E+04 4.135E+04 3.314E+04 2.759E+04 2.103E+04 1.458E+04 1.010E+04

i .039E.-01 2.775E+04 2.244E+04 1.884E+04 1.456E+04 1.03 i E+04 7.269E+03

!.283E-01

1.585E-01

1.957E-0 i

2.417E-01

2.985E-01

2.703E+04

11826E+04

1.242E+04"

8.478E+03

5.941E+03

4.226E+03

3,014E+03

2.061E+03

1.212E+03

8.101E+02

5,042E+02

2.842E+02

1,333E+02

4_466E+00

2.719E+00

1.648E+00

9,964E-01

6,001E-OI

3.687E-01

4.553E-01

1.889E+04

1.298E+04

8.977E+03

6.324E+03

4.507E+03

3.208E+03

2.21 IE+03

1.252E+03

8.344E+02

5.179E+02

2.914E+02

1.367E+02

4.153E+00

2.520E+00

1.525E+00

9.217E-01

5.554E-01

5.624E-01

6.945E-01

1.536E+04

1.066E+04

7.475E+03

5.294E+03

3.819E+03

2.735E+03

1.846E+03

1.083E+03

7.204E+02

4.462E+02

2.503E+02

I. 169E+02

2.867E+00

1.717E+00

1.032E+00

6,209E-01

3.733E-Oi

8.577E-01

1.059E+00

1.306E+04

9.137E+03

6.471E+03

4.612E+03

3,358E+03

2.371E+03

1.634E+03

9.813E+02

6.519E+02

4.030E+02

2.254E+02

1.050E+02

1.967E+00

I. 164E+00

6.950E-01

4.167E-01

2.500E-01

1.308E+00

1.616E+00

1.026E+04

7.296E+03

5.257E+03

3.854E+03

2.814E+03

2,010E+03

1.407E+03

8.542E+02

5.661E+02

3.489E+02

i .944E+02

9.010E+OI

1.004E+O0

5.855E-01

3.466E-01

2.069E-01

1.238E-01

1.995E+00

2.464E+00

7.414E+03

5.386E+03

3.972E+03

2,958E+03

2.229E+03

1.629E+03

1.143E+03

7.009E+02

4.629E+02

2.843E+02

1,577E+02

7.285E+01

3.187E-01

1.833E-01

1.078E-01

6.408E-02

3.825E-02

3.043E+00

3.758E+00

5.318E+03

3.950E+03

2.972E+03

2.252E+03

1.703E+03

1.249E+03

8,802E+02

5.550E+02

3.657E+02

2.241E+02

1.240E+02

5.718E+01

7.480E-02

4.283E-02

2.515E-02

1.494E-02

8.899E-03

4.642E+00 3,592E-01 3,327E-01 2.233E-01 1.493E-01 7.380E-02 2.276E-02 5.278E-03

5.733E+00 2,126E-01 i.972E-01 1.323E-O1 8.836E-02 4.361E-02 i.341E-02 3.094E-03

7.080E+00 !,233E-01 1.150E-OI 7.709E-02 5,146E-02 2,536E-.02 7.765E-03 1.778E-03

8.743E+00 6.979E-02 6.546E-02 4.390E-02 2.928E-02 1.440E-02 4.385E-03 9,934E-04

1.080E+OI 3,839E-02 3.617E-02 2.423E-02 1.613E-02

1.334E+01 1.997E-02 1.891E-02 1.265E-02 8,406E-03

7.904E-03 2.386E-03 5,321E-04

4,097E-03 1.221E-03 2.668E-04

i.647E+01 9,607E-03 9.156E-03 6,106E-03 4.041E-03 1.953E-03 5.720E-04 1.214E-04

2,034E+01 4,048E-03 3,900E-03 2.583E-03 1.696E-03 8.067E-04 2,289E-04 4,630E-05

2.512E+01 1,198E-03 1.177E-03 7.671E-04 4.963E-04 2.287E-04 6.128E-05 1.137E-05

3.102E+01 1,791E-05 1.839E-05 !.168E-05 7.346E-06 3.248E-06 7.972E-07 1.276E-07

4-26
11-0| :

i =-L

; "q'

i

l_E _O_S i

I

!

"s ,.'*o" I

g

t i+02

D.

L. I

-.I i

1.f.00 I

I

I

i

I

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I

i

i

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! .E .O3

!:

i:

i ;

; J

)00 roll !1

I

i :

1 _IB.02 1 E-01 11.00 1,E*01

LET, MeV-cmZ/m g

I I11 I|1

IIII

iill

| I II

: : tl

Thickness:

iii __o

I I I ; _.0 mit 11 _ mini

i i i i _,oo..,_,_,

: : ; : __4000 mu iwt.li roll I

!!!!

--7000 roll (fll.II _11

I III

iii

I I

::ii

I.E+O;I

Figure 4-22. Integral LET spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by

the 1980 solar maximum galactic cosmic rays.

1.E-02 1.E-01 IE+O0 1 E*01 1,E*02

LET MeV-c_m 21m g

Thlcknesl:

--0

--60 rail (t27 ram)

--500 mtt 1_ P ram)

--tOOO roll 12S.4 ram)

m2000 roll (SO, O _)

__40OO rail I10_$ mini

--7000 rail 11771 m)

Figure 4-23. Integral LET spectra of particles on the Martian surface produced by the

September 29, 1989 solar particle event.

4-27
4.6 Solar Radiation at Mars Surface

4.6.1 Ultraviolet (UV) Flux

With no appreciable ozone present (and substantially less massive atmosphere) a

considerably larger fraction of top-of-atmosphere UV flux reaches the surface of Mars than on

Earth. However, atmospheric carbon dioxide on Mars absorbs essentially all UV at wavelengths

shorter than about 2000 A before it reaches the surface. Figure 4-24 shows variations of UV flux

incident at the top of the atmosphere and at the surface with wavelength and season.

1017

--50"N Spring

--50"N Winter

I

2000 2500 3000

Q

Wavelength ( A }

I ,

3500

Figure 4-24. UV radiation incident at the top of the Mars atmosphere (upper curve

of each latitude pair) and at the surface (lower curve of each latitude pair) versus

wavelength and season. 444

4-28
4.6.2 VisibleandInfraredRadiation

Direct solar irradianceis attenuated by scattering. However, in non-dust-storm

conditions the total (direct plus diffuse) radiation received at the surface of Mars is very nearly

that received at the top of atmosphere (subject only to the cosine-zenith-angle geometrical effect)

(section 3.5.5). Dust storms can cause optical depths in excess of three, blocking essentially all of

the direct solar irradiance, and yielding diffuse irradiance at the surface significantly diminished

from top-of-atmosphere irradiance. Downwelling infrared radiation at the surface (emitted by the

Mars atmosphere) varies from about 25 W/m z under relatively clear conditions to about 120

W/m 2 during a major dust storm.

4.7 References

4-1 Smith, D. E., Zuber, M. T., Solomon, S. C., Philips, R. J., Head, J. W., Garvin, J. B.,

Banerdt, W. B., Muhleman, D. O., Pettengill, G. H., Neumann, G. A., Lemoine, F. G.,

Abshire, J. B., Aharonson, O., Brown, C. D., Hauck, S. A., Ivanov, A. B., McGovern, P. J.,

Zwally, H. J., and Duxbury, T. C.: "The Global Topography of Mars and Implications for

Surface Evolution." Science, Vol. 284, No. 5419, pp. 1495-1503, 1999.

4-2 Smith, D. E., Zuber, M. T., Fray, H. V., et al.: "Topography of the Northern Hemisphere of

Mars from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter." Science, Vol. 239, No. 5357, pp. 1686-1692,

1998.

4-3 Golombek, M.P. and Cook. R. A., Moore, H. J., and Parker, T. J.: "Selection of the Mars

Pathfinder landing site." J. Geophys. Res, Vol. 102, No. E2, pp. 3967-3988, 1997.

4-4 Keating, G. M., Bougher, S. W., Zurek, R. W., et ai.: "The Structure of the Upper

Atmosphere of Mars: In situ Accelerometer Measurements from Mars Global Surveyor."

Science, Vol. 279, No. 5357, pp. 1672-1676, 1998.

4-5 Bills, B. G. and Ferrari, A. J.: "Mars Topography, Harmonies, and Geophysical

Implications." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 83, pp. 3497-3508, 1978.

4-6 Balmino, G., Moynot, G. and Vales, N.: "Gravity Field Model of Mars in Spherical

Harmonics." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 87, pp. 9735-9746, 1982.

4-7 Bell III, J. F., McSween Jr., H. Y., Crisp, J. A., et al.: "Mineralogic and Compositional

Properties of Martian Soil and Dust: Results From Mars Pathfinder." Submitted to J.

Geophys. Res, 1999.

4-8 Squyres, S. W., Clifford, S. M., Kuzmin, R. O., Zimbelman, J. R., and Costard, F.M.: "Ice

in the Martian Regolith" in Mars, Kieffer, H. H., B. M. Jakosky, C. W. Synder, M. S.

Mathews (eds), Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 523-554, 1992.

4-9 Greeley, R., Kra_, M., Sullivan, R., Wilson, G., Bridges, N., Herkenhoff, K., Kuzmin,

R.O., Malin, M., and Ward, W.: "Aeolian Features and Processes at the Mars Pathfinder

Site." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 104, No. E4, pp. 8573-8584, 1995.

4-29
4-10

4-11

4-12

4-13

4-14

4-15

4-16

4-17

4-18

4-19

4-20

4-21

4-22

4-23

Strom, R. G., Croft, S. K. and Barlow, N. G.: "The Martian Impact Cratering Record" in

Mars: Kieffer, H. H., B. M. Jakosky, C. W. Synder, M. S. Mathews (eds), Univ. of Arizona

Press, Tucson, pp. 383-423, 1992.

Moore, H. J.: "Estimates of Some Physical/Mechanical Properties of Martian Rocks and

Soil-like Materials." USGS Open-File Report 91,568, 1991.

Rover Team: "Characterization of the Martian Surface Deposits by the Mars Pathfinder

Rover, Sojourner." Science, Vol. 278, No. 5344, pp. 1765-1768, 1997.

Moore, H. J., Bickler, D. B., Crisp J. A., Eisen, H. J., Gensler, J. A., Haldemann, A. F. C.,

Matijevic, J. R., Reid, L. K., and Pavlics, F.: "Soil-like Deposits Observed by Sojourner,

The Pathfinder Rover." d. Geophys. Res., Vol. 104, No. E4, pp. 8729-8746, 1999.

Mendell, W., Plescia, J., and Tribble, A.: "Surface Environments, in Human Space Flight

Analysis and Design (Draft)." McGraw-Hill, 1999.

Moore, H. J., HuRon, R. E., Clow, G. D., and Spitzer, C. R.: "Physical Properties of the

Surface Materials at the Viking Landing Sites on Mars." USGS Prof. Paper. 1389, U.S.

Gov. Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 222 pp., 1987.

Rover Team: "Characterization of the Martian Surface Deposits by the Mars Pathfinder

Rover, Sojourner." Science, Vol. 278, No. 5344, pp. 1765-1768, 1997.

Moore, H. J., Clow, G. D., and Hutton, R. E.: "A Summary of Viking Sample-Trench

Analyses for Angles of Internal Friction and Cohesion." ,Z. Geophys. Res., Vol. 87, pp.

10 043 - 10 050, 1982.

Arvidson, R. E., Gooding, J. L., and Moore, H. J. "The Martian Surface as Imaged,

Sampled, and Analyzed by the Viking Landers." Rev. Geophys. Space Phys., Vol. 27, pp.

39-60, 1989.

Moore, H. J. and Jakosky, B. M. "Viking Landing Sites, Remote Sensing Observations,

and Physical Properties of Martian Surface Materials." lcarus, Vol. 81, pp. 164-184, 1989.

Banin, A., Clark, B. C., and Wanke, H.: "Surface Chemistry and Mineralogy" in

Kieffer, H. H., B. M. Jakosky, C. W. Synder, M. S. Mathews (eds), Univ. of Arizona Press,

Tucson, pp. 594-625, 1992.

Rieder, R., W_inke, H., Economou, T., and Turkevich, A. "Determination of the Chemical

Composition of Martian Soil and Rocks: The Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer." J.

Geophys. Res, Vol. 102, pp. 4027-4044, 1997.

Golombek, M. P., Banerdt, W. B., Tanaka, K. L., and Tralli, D. M.: "A Prediction of Mars

Seismicity from Surface Faulting." Science, Vol. 258, pp. 979-981, 1992.

Golombek, M.P. and Rapp, D. "Size-frequency Distributions of Rocks on Mars and Earth

Analog Sites: Implications for Future Landed Missions." J. Geophys. Res, Vol. 102, No.

E2, 1997.

4-30
4-24

4-25

4-26

4-27

4-28

4-29

4-30

4-31

4-32

4-33

4-34

4-35

4-36

4-37

4-38

Golombek, M. P., Moore, H. J., Haldemann, A. F. C., Parker, T. J., and Schofield, J. T.:

"Assessment of Mars Pathfinder Landing Site Predictions." J Geophys. Res., Vol. 104, No.

E4, pp. 8585-8594, 1999.

Jakosky, B. M. and Christensen, P. R.: "Are the Viking Landing Sites Representative of

the Surface of Mars." Icarus, Vol. 66, pp. 125-133, 1986.

Kieffer, H. H., Martin, T. Z., Peterfreund, A. R., Jakosky, B. M., Miner, E. D., and

Palluconi, F.: "Thermal and Albedo Mapping of Mars During the Viking Primary Mission."

J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 82, No. 28, pp. 4249-91, 1977.

Christensen, P. R. and Moore, H. J.: "The Martian Surface Layer" in Mars= Kieffer, H. H.,

B. M. Jakosky, C. W. Synder, M. S. Mathews (eds), Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp.

686-729, 1992.

Christensen, P. R. and Malin, M. C.: "High Resolution Thermal Imaging of Mars."

(abstract) Lunar and Planet. Sci., Voi. XIX, pp. 180-181, 1988.

Kieffer, H. H., Martin, T. Z., Peterfruend, A. R., Jakosky, B. M., Miner, E. D., and

Palluconi, F. D.: "Thermal and Albedo Mappings of Mars During the Viking Primary

Mission." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 82, pp.4249-4291, 1977.

Palluconi, F. D. and Kieffer, H. H.: "Thermal Inertial Mapping from 60°S to 60°N. ''

Icarus, Vol. 45, pp. 415-426, 1981.

Campbell, M. J. and Ulrichs, J.: "Electrical Properties of Rocks and Their Significance for

Lunar Radar Observations." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 74, pp. 5867-5881, 1969.

Olhoeft, G. R. and Strangway, D. W.: "Electrical Properties of the Surface Layers of

Mars." Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 141-143, 1975.

Christensen, P. R., Anderson, D. L., Chase, S. C., et al.: "Thermal Emission Spectrometer

Experiment: Mars Observer Mission." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 97, No. E5, pp. 7719-7734,

1992.

Simpson, R. A.: "Spacecraft Studies of Planetary Surfaces Using Bistatic Radar." IEEE

Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 465-482, 1993.

Simpson, R. A., Harmon, J. K., Zisk, S. H., Thompson, T. W., and Muhleman, D. O.:

"Radar Determination of Mars Surface Properties", in Mars_ Kieffer, H. H., B. M. Jakosky,

C. W. Synder, M. S. Mathews (eds), Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 652-685, 1992.

Webb, S. and Quenby, J. J.: "Numerical Studies of the Transport of Solar Protons in

Interplanetary Space." Planetary andSpace Science, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 23-42, 1973.

Badhwar, G. D., Cucinotta, F. A. and O'Neill, P. M.: "An Analysis of Interplanetary Space

Radiation Exposure for Various Solar Cycles." Radiat. Res., Vol. 138, pp. 201-208, 1994.

Wilson, J. W., Kim, M. H. Y., Shinn, J. L., Tai, H. and Cucinotta, F. A.: "Solar Cycle

Variation and Application to the Space Radiation Environment." NASA/TP-1999-209369,

1999.

4-31
4-39

4-40

4-41

4-42

4-43

4-44

M.-H. Y. Kim et al. (1999): "Contributions of High Charge and Energy (HZE) Ions during

Solar-particle Event of September 29, 1989." NASA TP 1999-209320.

Committee on Space Research (COSPAR): "The Mars Reference Atmosphere." Advances

in Space Research, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp.l-106, 1982.

Kim, M.-H. Y. et al.: "Comparison of Martian Meteorites and Martian Regolith as Shield

Materials for Galactic Cosmic Rays." NASA TP 1998-208724, 1998.

Wilson, J. W., Miller, J., Konradi, A. and Cucinotta, F. A., Editors: "Shielding Strategies

for Human Space Exploration." NASA CP-3360, 1997.

S. Clowdsley et al.: "An Improved Elastic and Non-elastic Neutron Transport Algorithm

for Space Radiation." NASA TP 1999-3335, 1999.

Kuhn, W. R., Atreya, S. K., and Postawko, S. E.: "The Influence of Ozone on Martian

Atmospheric Temperatures." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 84, pp. 8341-8342, 1979.

4-32
5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Interplanetary Environment Effects

Ionizing radiation from Solar Proton Events (sections 2.2.1 and 2.2.2) and from Galactic

Cosmic Rays (section 2.2.3) has a potential for producing radiation damage to electronic systems

and serve as a threat to astronaut health and safety. Meteoroid impacts (section 2.3) also represent

a potential hazard for spacecraft systems and astronauts. Meteor streams (section 2.3.4),

associated with debris from comets, have different frequency and timing than on Earth. Since

Mars is visited by about twice as many comets as Earth, meteor flux from associated meteor

streams is projected to be correspondingly larger for Mars and near-Mars environments than for

Earth.

5.2 Atmospheric Environment Effects

Several environmental factors encountered in the atmosphere of Mars, discussed in section 3,

have potentially large impacts on spacecraft systems including the following:

• Cold near-surface air temperatures and large daily temperature swings

• Dust deposition in light wind conditions 51 (Pathfinder observed a few tenths of a percent

solar array performance degradation per sol)

• Potentially high winds with possible wind-blown dust

• Possible magnetic and electrostatic effects of dust 52

• Uncertainties in predicting dust storm onset, growth, and dissipation

• Large atmospheric density uncertainties for aerocapture planning and performance

• Large density and wind uncertainties for precision landing planning and performance

• Large density variations during aerobraking operations

5.3 Mars Surface Environment Effects

General terrain characteristics such as crater density (section 4.2.2) and distribution of

rocks and boulders (section 4.3) have been fairly well characterized. Basic soil mechanical

properties (e.g., bearing strength for construction of surface facilities, tendency to rut and

washboard during rover operations) are also fairly well defined (section 4.2.3). Some chemical

characteristics of Martian soil are known (section 4.2.5). However, significant uncertainties

remain, such as potential soil toxicity to astronauts, potential for adverse mechanical and

electrical effects caused by long-duration operations in a Mars dust environment, and details of

radiation shielding potential for Martian soil.

To date, all estimates of ionizing radiation exposure at the surface are based on models

(section 4.5). Ability to estimate such exposures is expected to improve dramatically after data is

obtained from both orbiting and surface-based radiation detectors now delayed from their original

5-1
scheduleontheMarsSurveyorProgram 2001 mission. Total mass of the Martian atmosphere

varies by more than 30 percent during the course of a Mars year (mass is proportional to pressure;

figure 3.7 is a plot of annual variation). Capability of the atmosphere to shield from both UV and

ionizing radiation exposure at the surface, therefore, is expected to have a similar range of annual

variability.

5.4 Recommendations for Future Work

In order to improve the fidelity and completeness of the environment definitions in this

document, several areas for further work are recommended.

5.4.1 Meteor Streams

Comet orbits which pass near the interplanetary cruise phase trajectories (Earth to Mars

and Mars to Earth) should be computed to determine the likelihood of encountering known

meteor streams. A later improvement to these calculations could be made by considering particle

ejection from the comets and subsequent planetary and radiation pressure perturbation of the

particle orbits over hundreds of years. This type of modeling has led to great improvements in

prediction of meteor storms such as the Leonids.

5.4.2 Meteoroid Flux in Mars Atmosphere and at Surface

Ability of the Martian atmosphere to shield surface inhabitants from meteors will differ

somewhat from Earth's atmospheric shielding capability. Atmospheric density at 100 km altitude

(capable of burning up many smaller meteors) is roughly comparable on the two planets.

However, because of lower total atmospheric mass, a larger fraction of interplanetary meteor flux

will be able to reach the surface of Mars. Details of this meteoroid flux, and its dependence on

meteor size and speed should be quantified. Also the question of whether meteor ion trails near

100 km could be used for radio communication on Mars (as can be on Earth) should be

documented.

5.4.3 Mars Surface Ionizing Radiation

The radiation transport calculations through the Martian atmosphere assumed a single

atmospheric density model. Future calculations should be performed using the Mars-GRAM

model for maximum and minimum atmospheric density. Additionally, calculations should be

performed for a range of altitudes in the atmosphere, from the bottom of Valles Marineris to the

top of Olympus Mons, to bound the environments to be encountered during surface exploration

sorties.

5.4.4 Mars Ionosphere and Radio Propagation

This document contains only a cursory description of the Martian ionosphere. The next

update should include a more complete description, including data necessary to assess the use of

high frequency (i.e., shortwave) radio propagation for communication between various surface

locations.

5.4.5 Triboelectric Charging Effects

Studies of triboelectric charging effects of dust in the Mars atmosphere 5"3 5-4 should be

assessed and summarized, including characteristics and potential adverse effects of electric

5-2
charginganddischargephenomena.Ability of charged dust to exacerbate mechanical wear and

abrasion on surface systems should be examined. 5"5 The possibility and characteristics of

lightning on Mars _3 should be assessed and summarized. For Mars exploration charging effects

could b_5.6Particularly significant if future plans materialize to use aircraft or balloon-borne

sensors.

5.4.6 Atmospheric Circulation and Wind Systems

Further details of atmospheric circulation systems and wind regimes on Mars need to be

discussed in terms of engineering and system design impacts. Particularly relevant are details of

effects of wind-borne dust and winds on possible aircraft or balloon systems, or possible largescale inflatable structures, such as habitation modules.

5.4.7 Summary and Availability of Mars Environmental Models

An extensive summary is planned for describing available computer models for

characterizing environments relevant to Mars missions. These models could include the

following:

• Interplanetary ionizing radiation model

• Interplanetary meteoroid flux model

• Quantitative, spherical harmonic model of Mars gravitational field

• Models of Mars atmospheric temperature, pressure, density, winds (surface to

thermosphere)

• Model of charge density in Mars ionosphere and its dependence on solar wind and EUV

flux

• Quantitative model of Mars dust characteristics (physical and optical)

• Model of ionizing radiation at the surface of Mars

• Model of meteoroid flux within the atmosphere and at the surface of Mars

• Engineering model of Mars soil characteristics relevant to construction or operation of

surface-based systems on Mars

• Quantitative model of solar and infrared radiation at the surface of Mars

Model summaries will include a brief description of the capabilities and operating characteristics

of each model, contact information for obtaining the model and its operating instructions (for

those models available for distribution), or contact information on how to have model evaluations

done by the model's developers (for models too complex to be run by "casual users").

5.4.8 Technical Glossary and Index

A glossary of technical terms will be developed, with an index (or cross-reference) to

section(s) where details of these terms are discussed in the document.

5.5 References

5-1 Landis, G.: "Dust Obscuration of Solar Arrays." Acta Astronautica, Vol. 38, No. 11, pp.

895-891, 1996.

5-3
5-2

5-3

5-4

5-5

5-6

Hviid,S.F., Madsen, M. B., Ginnlaugsson, H. P., et al.: "Magnetic Properties Experiments

on the Mars Pathfinder Lander: Preliminary Results." Science, Vol. 278, No. 5344, pp.

1768-1770, 1997.

Kolecki, J. C. and Landis, G. A.: "Electrical Discharge on the Martian Surface", at

http://satori2.1erc.nasa.gov/DOC/marslight.html, 1996.

Ferguson, D. C., Kolecki, J. C., Siebert, M. W., et al.: "Evidence for Martian Electrostatic

Charging and Abrasive Wheel Wear from the Wheel Abrasion Experiment on the

Pathfinder Sojourner rover." J. Geophys. Research, Vol. 104, No. E4, pp.8747-8759, 1999.

Farrell, W. M., Kaiser, M. L., Desch, M. D., et al.: "Detecting Electrical Activity from

Martian Dust Storms." J. Geophys. Research, Vol. 104, No. E2, pp. 3795-3801, 1999.

Garg, S. C. and John, T.: "Balloon Gondola Charging and Its Estimation." Adv. Space

Research, Vol.17, No.11, pp.99-102, 1996.

5-4
Appendix A

Basic Physical Data for Mars

The following data were taken from Mars, University of Arizona Press, H.H. Kieffer, et

al., Editors, 1992. Notes to specific values are in regular parentheses at the end of each of 11

tables; references are in square brackets and listed at the end of this appendix.

Table A-1. Orbital Characteristics

Heliocentric osculating elements referred to the mean ecliptic and equinox of J2000.0, for

Julian Date 2 448 120.5, 1990 Aug 17.

Semimajor axis

Perihelion

Aphelion

Eccentricity

Inclination

Longitude of ascending node

Longitude of perihelion

Mean daily motion

Mean longitude

Mean orbital velocity around Sun

(calculated from mean semimajor axis)

Ls of perihelion

Table A-2. Orientation of Polar Axis

1.52366 AU [A-I]

1.381 AU

1.666 AU

0.0934 [A-I]

I°.8504 [A-l]

490.59 [A-l]

3350.94 [A-I]

00.52405 / day [A- 1]

00.89 [A-I]

24.13 km s-1

2500.87

Right ascension

Declination

Obliquity relative to orbital plane

Table A-3. Time Properties

Length of sidereal day

Mean orbital period (1)

Length of mean solar day (2)

3170.61 [A-I]

520.85 [A-l]

250.19 [A-l]

24 h, 37 m, 22.663 + 0.002 s

88642.663 + 0.002 s

686.98 Earth days

668.60 Mars solar days

88775.2 s

[A-21

[A-2I

Notes:

Table 1976-

Table 1976-

Calculated from mean semimajor axis and Kepler's third law.

Calculated from length of sidereal day and mean orbital period

A-I
Table A-4. Geophysical Parameters

Mass

GM

Mass

Mean radius (radius of sphere

of equal volume)

Radius and direction of principal axes

of 2 "d--degree triaxial ellipsoid:

(given as radius, latitude, longitude)

3394.5 + 0.3 kin; 00.7 + 0.2,

3399.2 + 0.3 kin; -2 ° 0 + 0.2,

3376.1 + 0.4 kin; 870.9+0.2,

Volume (1)

Mean density

J2

C/Mt_

Center of mass/center of figure offset

cf. Offset in direction of -620.0 + 3.7 lat, 870. 7

Magnetic dipole moment

Surface gravity at pole (2)

Surface gravity at Equator (2)

Ratio of surface gravity at Equator

to Earth surface gravity at Equator

Mean escape velocity (3)

Total surface area (1)

Ratio of total surface area to

that on Earth

Ratio of total surface area to

Land surface area on Earth

Area of perennial polar caps

south polar region

north polar region

Area of polar layered terrain: (4)

south polar region

north polar region

42 828.3 + 0.1 km3s 2

6.4185 x 10 23 kg

3389.92 + 0.04 km

180.5 5: 0.8W

108 °.4 5: 0.8W

128°.8 + 6.3W

1.6318 x 10 22 m3

3.9335 5:0.0004 g cm 3

1960.454 x 10 -6

0.345-0.365

2.50 5:0.07 km

+ 3.0 (long W)

< 10-4 that of Earth

<8 x 1011 T m "3

3.758 m s"2

-2 3.711 ms

0.3795

5.027 km sz

1.4441 x 1014 m2

0.2825

0.976

88 000 km 2

837 000 km 2

1 395 000 km 2

395 000 km 2

Notes:

(1) Calculated from radius of sphere of equal volume.

(2) Given by GM_/Re; equatorial value based on mean equatorial radius.

(3) Given by _[2GM / R.

(4) Excluding area of perennial polar caps.

[A-3]

[A-4]

[A-S]

[A-5]

[A-5]

[A-4]

[A-l]

[A-6, A-7, A-8]

[A-4]

[A-9]

[A-S]

[A-5]

[A-10]

[A-10]

[A-26]

[A-26]

.4-2
Table A-5. Atmospheric Composition (by Volume)

Species Abundance Notes

CO2 0.9532 (1)

N2 0.027

Ar 0.016

02 0.0013

CO 0.0007

H20 0.0003 (2)

Ne 2.5 ppm

Kr 0.3 ppm

Xe 0.08 ppm

03 0.04 to 0.2 ppm (2)

Notes:

(1) Because CO2 varies seasonally due to condensation at the polar caps, all abundances vary

seasonally by as much as about 30%; values are those measured at the Viking landing sites

and are relative to a total pressure of 7.5 mbar.

(2) Abundance varies with season and location. Annual global average of H20 is ~ 10 x 10.3 kg

m"2or 0.000 16 by volume. [A-25]

Table A-6. Atmospheric Isotopic Ratios

Ratio Earth Mars

12Cfl3C 89

14NflSN 272

160/180 489

36Ar/3SAr 5.3

4°Ar/36Ar 296

129Xe/132Xe 0.97

D/H 1.6 x I04

90+5

170 + 15

490 + 25 (measured in

atmospheric CO2)

5.5 + 1.5

3000 ± 500

+2

2.5_!

(9 + 4) x 10"4

Table A-7. Representative Chemical Composition of Soil

Constituent (1) Concentration (%)

SiO2 43.4

Fe203 18.2

A1203 7.2

SO3 7.2

MgO 6.0

CaO 5.8

Na20 1.34

C1 0.8

P2Os 0.68

TiO2 0.6

MnO 0.45

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(3)

(2)

(3)

(2)

(3)

A-3
Cr20 0.29

K20 0.10

CO3 <2

H20 0-1

Notes:

(1) Basedonelemental composition,expressedasoxides.

(2) BasedondirectsoilanalysesfromVikingX-rayFluorescenceSpectrometer.

(3) BasedonSNCmeteoriteanalyses.

(4) BasedonterrestrialsimulationsofVikingLabelledReleasexperiment.

(5) Spatiallyandtemporallyvariable.

Table A-8. Atmospheric Properties

Atmospheric pressure at surface (1)

Average columnar mass of

atmosphere (2)

Average mass of atmosphere (3)

Mass of seasonal polar cap deposits: (4)

north polar cap

south polar cap

Mean atmospheric scale height ( at

T=210K)

Dry adiabatic lapse rate

Mean atmospheric lapse rate (observed)

Atmospheric visible optical depth (5)

(3)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Notes:

5.6 mbar or 560 Pa

150 kg m-2

2.17 x 1016 kg

[a-131

3.5 x 1015 kg

8.1 x 10 _5kg

10.8 km [A-14]

4.5 K km "_ [A-14]

~ 2.5 K km "l [A-14]

0.1-10 [A-141

(1) Seasonally and spatially variable; this value is an estimate of the global annual average.

(2) Calculated from 5.6-mbar surface pressure and global-average gravity.

(3) Calculated from mean global surface pressure of 5.6 mbar.

(4) Based on seasonal variations in atmospheric pressure.

(5) Temporally and spatially variable; values are approximate, integrated over entire visible or

infrared spectrum, respectively.

Table A-9. Thermal Properties

1367.6 W m-2

588.98 W m-2

210.1 K

~ 140-300 K

[A-15]

[A-16]

[A-171

[A-17]

Solar constant:

at 1 AU (1)

at mean Mars distance from Sun

Average surface temperature (2)

Range of surface temperature

Surface bolometric albedo (3)

mean

range

A-4
Surface thermal inertia: (4)

mean

range

6.5 × 103cal cm'2s "1/2 K "1 [A-18]

272. J m'2s "1/2 K -1

1 - 15 × 10 .3 cal cm'2s "1/2 K "1 [A-18]

42.- 628 J m'2s "1/2 K "1

Notes:

(1) Mean of measurements from SMM/ACRIM I experiment, 1980-1983.

(2) Equilibrium for a perfectly conducting sphere of albedo = 0.25, emissivity = 1.0 at Mars

mean heliocentric distance.

(3) As measured at ~ 60-km spatial scale.

(4) As measured at ~ 100-km spatial scale.

Table A-10. Viking and Pathfinder Landing Site Locations

VL- 1 VL-2 MPF

Date 7/20/76

Time 1l:53UT

Local Mars Time 16:13LST

Latitude (1) 22 .0480 + 0.003

Longitude (!) 47 o.968 + 0.01

Radius to surface 3389.32 + 0.06

Elevation relative to o1.54

geoid (2)

Average annual surface

pressure ~ 780

9/3/76 7/4/97

22:58UT 16:57UT

09:49LST 02:58LST

47 .0967 + 0.003 19.17

225. ° 737 + 0.1 33.21

3381.86 + 0.06 km 3389.73

-2.44 km - 1.62

~ 870 Pa

[A-241

[A-241

[A-241

Notes :

(1) Areographic coordinates. Longitude depends upon the precise location of Airy-0. Inertial

longitude known to +0.0 002.

(2) Relative to fourth order and degree datum described in [ 17], using the radii at sites listed

here. The approximate elevations shown on the U.S. Geological Survey (1991) topographic

maps 1-2160 are -1.9 km and -0.8 km, respectively. The landing sites were not used as part

of the vertical control system for these maps.

Table A-11. Satellites

Phobos Deimos Unit

Radii oftriaxial

ellipsoid: a: 13.3 + 0.3 7.6 + 0.5 km [A-20]

b: i 1.1 + 0.3 6.2 + 0.5 km [A-20]

c: 9.3 + 0.3 5.4 + 0.5 km [A-20]

Volume 5680 + 250 1052 + 250 km 3 [A-I 8, A-19]

A-5
Mass:

GM (7,22 + 0.05) (1.2 ± 0.1

x 10-4 x 10-4

M 1.08 x 10 t6 1.8 x l0 Is

Mean density 1.905 1.905 ± 0.053 1.7 :t: 0.5

Orbital elements:

Semimajor axis 9378.5 23 458.8

Eccentricity 0.0152 0.0002

Inclination 1.03 1.83

Orbital period 0.318 910 23 1.262 440 7

Rate of decrease 158.8 6.614

of longitude of

ascending node

Length of day synchronous synchronous

km3s -2

kg

g cm 3

km

deg

day

deg yr "1

[A-22, A-2_]

[A-22]

[A-22]

[A-22]

[A-l]

[A-l]

[A-l]

References cited in preceding tables:

A-1. The Astronomical Almanac for 1990.

A-2. Mayo et al.: "Lander locations, Mars physical ephemeris, and solar system parameters:

Determination from Viking Lander tracking data." J Geophys. Res., Voi. 82, pp. 4298-

4303, 1977.

A-3. Null, G. W.: "A Solution for the Mass and Dynamical Oblateness of Mars using Mariner

IV Doppler Data." Bull. Amer. Astron. Soc., Vol. 1, pp. 356 (abstract), 1969.

A-4. Esposito, P. B., et al.: "Gravity and Topography." Chapter 7 of Mars by Kieffer, H. H., et

ai. Tuscon: University of Arizona Press, pp. 209-248, 1992.

A-5. Bills, B. G. and Ferrari, A. J.: "Mars topography, Harmonics and Geophysical

Implications."d. Geophys. Res., Vol. 83, pp. 3498-3508, 1978.

A-6. Bills, B. G.: "The Moments of Inertia of Mars." Geophys. Res. Lett., Vol. 16, pp. 385-

388, 1989.

A-7. Bills, B. G.: "Comment on "More About the Moment of Inertia of Mars." Geophys. Res.

Lett., Vol. 16, pp. 1337-1338, 1989.

A-8. Kaula, W. M., et ai.: "More about the Moment of Inertia ofMars."J Geophys. Res., Vol.

84, pp. 999-1008, 1989.

A-9. Luhmann, J. G., et al.: "The Intrinsic Magnetic Field and Solar-Wind Interaction of Mars."

Chapter 31 of Mars by Kieffer, H. H., et al. Tuscon: University of Arizona Press, pp.

1090-1134, 1992.

A- 10. Stacey, F. D.." "Physics of the Earth." 2 ndedition (New York: Wiley), 1977.

A-I1. Owen, Tobias: "The Composition and Early History of the Atmosphere of Mars." Chapter

25 of Mars by Kieffer, H. H., et al. Tuscon: University of Arizona Press, pp. 818-834,

1992.

A-6
A-12.

A-13.

A-14.

A-15.

A-16.

A-17.

A-18.

A-19.

A-20.

A-21.

A-22.

A-23.

A-24.

A-25.

A-26.

Banin,A.,etal.:"SurfaceChemistryandMineralogy."Chapter18of MarsbyKieffer,H.

H.,etal.Tuscon:UniversityofArizonaPress,pp.594-625,1992.

Hess,S.L. etal.:"TheAnnualCycleofPressureof MarsMeasuredbyVikingLanders1

and2." Geophys. Res. Lett., Vol. 7, pp. 197-200, 1980.

Zurek, R. W., et al.: "Dynamics of the Atmosphere of Mars." Chapter 26 of Mars by

Kieffer, H. H., et al. Tuscon: University of Arizona Press, pp. 835-933, 1992.

Willson, R. C.: "Measurements of Solar Total Irradiance and Its Variability." Space ScL

Rev., Vol. 38, pp. 203-242, 1984.

Kieffer, H. H. et al.: "Thermal and Albedo Mapping on Mars during the Viking Primary

Mission." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 82, pp. 4249-4291, 1977.

Pleskot, L. K. and Miner, E. D.: "Time Variability of Martian Bolometric Albedo."

Icarus, Vol. 45, pp. 179-201, 1981.

Palluconi, F. D. and Kieffer, H. H.: "Thermal Inertia Mapping of Mars for 60°S to 60°N. ''

Icarus, Vol. 45, pp. 415-426, 1981.

Wu, S. S. C.: "A Method of Defining Topographic Datums of Planetary Bodies." Ann.

Geophys., 1981, Vol. 1, pp. 147-160.

Duxbury, T. C., et al.: "Geodesy and Cartography of the Martian Satellites." Chapter 36

of Mars by Kieffer, H. H., et al. Tuscon: University of Arizona Press, pp. 1249-1256,

1992.

Duxbury, T. C.: "An Analytic Model for the Phobos Surface." Planet. Space Sci., Vol. 39,

pp. 355-376, 1991.

Kolyka, Y. et ai.: "International Project PHOBOS Experiment." Planet. Space Sci., Vol.

39, pp. 349-354, 1991.

Williams, B. et al.: "Improved Determination of Phobos and Deimos Masses from Viking

Flybys." Lunar Planet. Sci., Vol. XIX, p. 1274 (abstract), 1988.

Michael, W. H., Jr.: "Viking Lander Tracking Contributions to Mars Mapping." Moon

and Planets, Vol. 20, pp. 149-152, 1978.

Jakosky, B. M. and Farmer, C. B.: "The Seasonal and Global Behavior of Water Vapor in

the Mars Atmosphere: Complete Global Results of the Viking Atmospheric Water

Detector Experiment." J. Geophys. Res., Vol. 87, pp. 2999-3019, 1982.

Tanaka, K. L. et al.: "A Synthesis of Digitized, Viking-based Geology." Proc. Lunar

Planet. Sci. Conf., Vol. 18, pp. 665-678, 1988.

A-7

Appendix B

Tables of Parameters for Earth and Mars

The following information was summarized from "Standard Planetary Information, Formulae,

and Constants" (http://atmos.nmsu.edu/isdap/encyclopediawork.html), from the NASA Planetary

Data System at New Mexico State University. Encyclopedia Author: Chris Barnet, HTML

Editor-Steve Duran, Webmaster Lyle Huber.

Table B-1. Parameters for Earth and Mars

Table 1976- Planet Size Information

Area Volume Mass Mass density

km 2 km 3 grams Ms gm/cm 3

Earth 5.1006x 10s 1.0832x 1012 5.9790x 1027 1.000 5.520

Mars 1.4416x10 s 1.6275×10 II 6.4570x1026 0.108 3.967

Table 1976-

Earth

Mars

Table 1976- .

a(AU)

Earth 1.0000

Mars 1.5237

Table 1976- .

Planet Rotation Period

Hours hr:mn:secs day/earth °/day

23.933 333 0 23:56:0.0 0.997 22 361.002 791

24.633 333 0 24:38:0.0 1.026 39 350.744 254

IOrbital Parameters

period(yrs) inclin(°) a.node(°)

1.00 0.00 0.00

1.88 1.85 49.45

Planet Pole

<r>(AU) inclination( ° )

Earth 1.0000 23.40

Mars 1.5237 25.20

Table 1976- Velocity

Worbi! Vescape

km/s km/s

Earth 29.786 11.192

Mars 24.130 5.045

arg.perih(°) ecc L(6430)(°)

102.77 0.016 704 99.372

335.82 0.093 329 195.082

RA( °) DEC( °)

0.00 90.00

317.57 57.52

Vequator Wsound

km/s km/s

0.465 0.320

0.240 0.227

B-I
Table1976-. RadiativelyEffectiveAtmosphericParameters(T,mP,_,etc.)

Tar Peer p H Vso_.a r_d

K mbar gm/cm 3 km m/s years

phase

O

Earth 255.0 500.000 6.8297 × 10-4 7.471 320.2 0.131

Mars 210.0 6.000 1.5124 × 10-5 10.605 226.6 0.006

39.47

1.17

Table 1976- Stratopause Values

T P p H V_ou_a x_d

K mbar gm/cm 3 km m/s years

phase

o

Earth 270.0 1.000 1.2901 × 10-6 7.911 329.5 0.000

Mars 140.0 0.005 1.8905 × 10-s 7.070 185.0 0.000

0.08

0.00

Table 1976- Tropopause Values

T P p H Vsoun d "Utad

K mbar gm/cm 3 km m/s years

phase

o

Earth 217.0 I00.000 1.6051x 10-4 6.358 295.4 0.043

Mars 140.0 0.010 3.7809 x 10"s 7.070 185.0 0.000

14.96

0.01

Table 1976- 1 Bar Values

T P p H V_ou.a tr_a

K bar gm/cm 3 km m/s years

phase

o

Earth 288.0 1.000 1.2094 x 10 -3 8.438 340.3 0.182

Mars 140.0 0.007 2.6466 × 10-5 7.070 185.0 0.024

48.82

4.59

Table 1976- Surface 01t20) Values

T P p H Vsound '_rad

K bar gm/cm 3 km m/s years

phase

o

Earth 288.0 1.013 1.2252 × 10 .3 8.438 340.3 0.184

Mars 214.0 0.007 1.7314 x 10.5 10.807 228.7 0.007

49.19

1.29

Table 1976- Lapse Rate

Dry Adiabatic: Fa - g/Cp Autoconvective: Fauto _ g/Rg

Adiabatic

<g> Cp Lapse Rate Rg

cm/s2 J/gm/K K/kin J/gm/K

Autoconvective

Lapse Rate

K/km

Earth 979.86 1.0040 9.760 0.28710 34.130

Mars 374.10 0.8312 4.500 0.18892 19.802

B-2
Table1976-

1¢,- Rg,/Cp

Earth

Mars

Gas Constant

- CyC 

<mw> Rgas Cp K

gm/mole J/gm/K J/gm/K

28.96 0.28710 1.0040 0.2860

44.01 0.18892 0.8312 0.2273

1.4005

1.2941

Table 1976- Surface Gravity

<g> <g> g(0) g(45) g(90)

cm/s 2 gearth cm/s 2 cm/s 2 cm/s2

Earth 979.86 1.0000 976.81 981.29 987.16

Mars 374.10 0.3818 372.40 374.90 378.10

Gravity Field Spherical Harmonic Coefficients

106x J2 106x J4 106x J6

1082.63 -2.378 0.006

1960.454

Table 1976-

Earth

Mars

106x q

3449.8

Table 1976- Latitude: planeto-graphic and planeto-centric

Planeto-centric latitude, 0, and the planeto-graphic latitude, q_

_3= R_q/Rpt

0 = tan "l [ tan(q0/[32 ]

q_= tan"1 [ tan(0)" 132]

e(o) = Req Rpt[{ [R2eq • sin2(0) + R2t • cos2(0)] }1/2

f= -

e = [ R2eq -- R2pt] l/2/Req = { [ 1 - (Rpl/Req) 2] } 112

S = total area = 2 7t- R2eq+ 7t(R2/e) • loge [ (1 + e)/(1 - e) ]

V = total volume = (4/3) xR2_q• Rpl

Ife = 0 then

S = 4 x • Req " Req

th CRC Standard Mathematical Tables 26 edition, pg. 129. The volume of an oblate sphere is equal

to a sphere with radius <R>.

,_R> = ( R2eq • Rpl) (1/3)

B-3
R_/Rpl f E

Req

km

Earth 6378.5

Mars 3393.0

Rpl

km

6356.0

3375.0

1.003 540

1.005333

Table B-2. NASA Planetary Missions to Mars

1965

1969

1969

1971

1976

1993

1997

0.003 527

0.005 305

0.083 920

0.102 869

<R>

km

6370.99

3386.99

1999

Mariner 4 : 22 low resolution pictures

Mariner 6 : flyby

Mariner 7 : flyby

Mariner 9 : orbiter (resol. = 0.1 to 1 km)

Vikings : 55 000 images, resol. 150 to 300 meters

Viking 1 orbiter (4 yrs)

Viking 1 lander 22.27N 47.97W

July 20, 1976 4:13 pm LMT

T=250 K

Viking 2 orbiter

Viking 2 lander 47.57N 225.74W

September 3, 1976 9:49 am LMT

T=150 K diurnal variation 35 to 50K

Mars Observer

Mars orbit insertion August 22, 1993 (failed)

Pathfinder lander: 19.17N 33.21W

July 4, 1997 2:58 am LMT

Mars Global Surveyor Insertion September 11, 1997

Mapping orbit February 24, 1999

Mars Climate Orbiter

Mars orbit insertion September 23, 1999 (failed)

Mars Polar lander

December 3, 1999 (failed)

B-4

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March 2001 Technical Memorandum

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Mars Transportation Environment Definition Document

6. AUTHORS

M. Alexander, Editor

7.PERFORMINGORGANIZATIONNAMES(S) ANDADDRESS(ES)

George C. Marshall Space Flight Center

Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

9.SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCYNAME(S)ANDADDRESS(ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, DC 20546-0001

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8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION

REPORT NUMBER

M-1011

10. SPONSORING/MONITORING

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

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13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)

This document provides a compilation of environments knowledge about the planet Mars. Information is

divided into three catagories: (1) interplanetary space environments (environments required by the

technical community to travel to and from Mars); (2) atmospheric environments (environments needed to

aerocapture, aerobrake, or use aeroassist for precision trajectories down to the surface); and (3) surface

environments (environments needed to have robots or explorers survive and work on the surface).

14.SUBJECTTERMS

Mars, space environment, atmospheric environment, surface environment,

ionizing radiation, meteroids, atmospheric density, atmospheric temperature,

dust storms

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF REPORT

Unclassified

18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF THIS PAGE

Unclassified

19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF ABSTRACT

Unclassified

15. NUMBER OF PAGES

114

16. PRICE CODE

A06

20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT;

Unlimited

NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89)

Prescribed by ANSI SIcl 239_18

298-102