Test & measurement
First measurements reFlect expectations
The MEDA equipment has now delivered the first round-the-clock measurement series on pressure and relative humidity to Earth. The measured values correspond to what was expected. “The pressure levels and variation
according to the time of day in the Jezero Crater reflect our models well. Relative humidity is practically zero (0% RH) during the day and rises during the night as the local temperature falls to nearly -80°C. For comparison, 20 per cent relative humidity is considered very low on Earth, and relative humidity near zero is hardly ever measured. The pressure data has also let us observe dust devils passing Perseverance, showing them as fast and sharp declines in the pressure signal,” explains Maria Genzer, group leader of Planetary Research and Space Technology at FMI.
martian weather conditions and atmosphere interest Finnish researchers
The Perseverance rover has been designed to explore Mars’ conditions and geology as well as to search for signs of ancient life. Even though signs of life are fascinating, Finnish researchers are especially interested in the Martian atmosphere. “Earth and Mars share a lot of similarities, which is why we find the study of Mars’ atmosphere so fascinating: it helps us to understand the behavior of Earth’s atmosphere. Additionally, dust storms on Mars can be harsh, so it is crucial to be able to predict the storms if we are to send manned space missions to Mars in the future. For this
Figure 1: Relative humidity (in blue) and temperature (in yellow) measured by the MEDA HS humidity instrument during one Martian day (known as a sol). During the day relative humidity is close to zero percent, but it rises during the Martian night as the temperature falls. Credit: M2020/MEDA/FMI
reason, Mars needs a weather station network,” states Genzer.
meteorological observation network based on Finnish expertise
Perseverance and the Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in 2012, provide measurements approximately 3,700 kilometers apart from each other. Both rovers carry similar Finnish pressure and humidity measurement instruments, which deliver data that is sent to Earth for analysis. The data from the rovers, combined with observations from NASA’s InSight Lander on Mars, form the first three- point meteorological observation
Figure 2: Dust devils, observed by MEDA PS pressure instrument, can be seen in the measurements as a fast and sharp pressure decline. Credit: M2020/MEDA/FMI
network on another planet. The network will enable even more accurate modeling of Mars’ atmosphere and its phenomena. “In the future, we hope to get more
measurement points on Mars. This is the ultimate goal for example in our MetNet program, in which we are developing small probes that will impact and penetrate Mars’ surface. These probes would then form a comprehensive meteorological observation network on the planet,” Maria Hieta explains. The Mars 2020 mission is a part of
NASA’s Mars exploration program. One of the main tasks of the Perseverance rover is to gather and store a series of rock and soil samples that can be brought back to Earth for analysis in the future. Finnish technology is scheduled to be launched to Mars again in 2022 aboard the ExoMars mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
Figure 3: There are now several Finnish measurement instruments on Mars, but even more are needed. This picture, taken by Perseverance’s navigational camera, shows the MEDA HS humidity measurement instrument. Credit: M2020/MEDA/FMI
Instrumentation Monthly May 2021
Vaisala
vaisala.com/space Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI)
en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi
21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74
