MECA Electrometer: Initial Experimental Results
Abstract
The Mars '01 lander contains an electrometer designed to evaluate the electrostatic nature of the Martian regolith (soil) and atmosphere. The electrometer is part of MECA (Mars Environmental Compatibility Assessment) project. The objective is to gain a better understanding of the hazards related to the human exploration of Mars The sensor has an electric field sensitivity of 35 kV/cm-V and room temperature drift of about 3 microV/sec. The sensor has been operated as low as -60 C where the drift is undetected.
- Publication:
-
Studies of Mineralogical and Textural Properties of Martian Soil: An Exobiological Perspective
- Pub Date:
- September 1999
- Bibcode:
- 1999smtp.conf...13B
- Keywords:
-
- Electrometers;
- Mars Surface;
- Planetary Geology;
- Soils;
- Mars Atmosphere;
- Mars Surveyor 2001 Mission;
- Mars Environment;
- Mars (Planet);
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration