Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-c9gpj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-09T00:16:00.299Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Abrasion of Aluminum, Platinum, and Nickel by Martian Dust as Determined by the Mars Pathfinder Wheel Abrasion Experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Dale Ferguson ,
Mark Siebert ,
David Wilt  and
Joseph Kolecki
Dale Ferguson
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, ferguson@grc.nasa.gov
Mark Siebert
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, ferguson@grc.nasa.gov
David Wilt
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, ferguson@grc.nasa.gov
Joseph Kolecki
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, ferguson@grc.nasa.gov
Get access

Abstract

The Mars Pathfinder Wheel Abrasion Experiment (WAE) spun a specially prepared wheel with strips of aluminum, platinum, and nickel, in the Martian soil. These materials were chosen because of their differing hardnesses, their ability to stick to anodized aluminum, and their comparative chemical inertness under Earth launch and Mars landing conditions. Abrasion of those samples was detected by the change in their specular reflectances of sunlight as measured by a photovoltaic sensor mounted above the wheel. The degree of abrasion occurring on the samples is discussed, along with comparisons to the abrasion seen in Earth-based laboratory experiments using Martian soil analogs. Conclusions are reached about the hardness, grain size, and angularity of the Martian soil particles, and the precautions which must be undertaken to avoid abrasion on moving parts exposed to the Martian dust.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 551: Symposium JJ – Materials in Space-Science, Technology & Exploration , 1998 , 17
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Matijevic, J.R., Crisp, J., Bickler, D.B., Banes, R.S., Cooper, B.K., Eisen, H.J., Gensler, J., Haldemann, A., Hartman, F., Jewett, K.A., Matthies, L.H., Laubach, S.L., Mishkin, A.H., Morrison, J.C., Nguyen, T.T., Sirota, A.R., Stone, H.W., Stride, S., Sword, L.F., Tarsala, J.A., Thompson, A.D., Wallace, M.T., Welch, R., Wellman, E., Wilcox, B.H., Ferguson, D., Jenkins, P., Kolecki, J., Landis, G.A., Wilt, D., Moore, H.J., and Pavlics, F., “Characterization of the Martian Surface Deposits by the Mars Pathfinder Rover, Sojourner,” Nature 278, p. 1765–1768 (1997).Google Scholar
2 Siebert, M., “Wheel Abrasion Experiment Ground Tests: Initial Results,” in Proc. Intersoc. Energy Conversion Conf., Honolulu, Hawaii, July 27-Aug. 1, pp. 743–748 (1997).Google Scholar
3 Hepp, A.F., Fatemi, N.S., Wilt, D.M., Ferguson, D.C., Hoffman, R.W., Hill, M.M., and Kaloyeros, A.E., “Wheel Abrasion Experiment Metals Selection for Mars Pathfinder Mission,” at the 1996 Fall Meeting of the Materials Research Society, Boston, MA, Dec. 2-6, NASA TM 107378 (1996).Google Scholar
4 Wilt, D.M., Jenkins, P.P., and Scheimann, D.A., “Photodetector Development for the Wheel Abrasion Experiment on the Sojourner Miicrorover of the Mars Pathfinder Mission,” in Proc. Intersoc. Energy Conversion Conf., Honolulu, Hawaii, July 27-Aug. 1, pp. 738–742 (1997).Google Scholar
5 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,” J. Geophys. Res. (Planets), in press (1999).Google Scholar
6 Gaier, J.R. and Perez, M.E.-Davis, “Effect of Particle Size of Martian Dust on the Degradation of Photovoltaic Cell Performance,” NASA TM 105232 (1991).Google Scholar
7 ASM Handbook, “Friction, Lubrication, and Wear Technology,” 18, pg. 188 (1992).Google Scholar
8 CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 43rd ed., Chemical Rubber Company, Cleveland, OH (1961).Google Scholar