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Full-Text Articles in Atmospheric Sciences
A New Method For Estimating The Physical Characteristics Of Martian Dust Devils, Shelly Cahoon Mann
A New Method For Estimating The Physical Characteristics Of Martian Dust Devils, Shelly Cahoon Mann
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations
Critical to the future exploration of Mars is having a detailed understanding of the atmospheric environment and its potential dangers. The dust devil is one of these potential dangers. The transport of dust through saltation is believed to be the driving mechanism responsible for Martian weather patterns. The two primary mechanisms for dust transport are dust storms and dust devils. Dust devils on Mars are a frequent occurrence with one in five so called giant dust devils being large enough to leave scars on the surface that are visible from space. Due to the thin atmosphere, winds of 60 mph …
Balloon Borne Mars Research Platforms, Sean Michael Hancock
Balloon Borne Mars Research Platforms, Sean Michael Hancock
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations
Aerial platforms can fill a measurement gap between orbiters and rovers, providing planetary scale high resolution in situ measurements, access to scientifically interesting terrain that is either inaccessible or hazardous to rovers, and serve as a planet-wide delivery platforms to deploy surface probes and rovers to areas inaccessible given existing entry, descent, and landing systems. A permanent robotic outpost on the Martian surface can utilize locally-derived hydrogen as a lifting gas for balloon systems deployed from Mars. That approach can simplify the inflation and launch of aerial vehicles while allowing for a long duration deployment campaign that is not constrained …