English

NASA plans to use lasers to measure the impact of exhaust gases on the lunar surface during landing, in order to plan lunar landings more effectively

122
2023-10-31 11:08:22
See translation

Recently, NASA's official website showed that a research team at the University of Central Florida has tested an instrument called Ejecta STORM, which aims to measure the size and velocity of surface particles generated by exhaust gases from rocket powered landers on the moon or Mars.

According to NASA, when a spacecraft lands on the moon or Mars, rocket exhaust plumes can produce efflorescent ejecta (abrasive dust and rapidly moving large particles) that may damage the lander and surrounding structures. Understanding how the exhaust of rocket engines affects the ejectors will help task designers model soil erosion rate, particle size distribution, and velocity related to plume surface interactions, thereby more effectively planning lunar landings.

To meet this demand, researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a laser instrument called Ejecta STORM (Sheet Tracking, Opacity, and Regolith Material). The four tethered flights allowed researchers to test the integration of the system with the lander and simulate the operation under flight conditions of the lunar lander plume effect. These tests are based on data collected during flight activities conducted using Xiaodac in 2020.

Researchers hope that this technology can provide information for model development and reduce the risk of future lunar landings, ultimately improving the design of planetary science missions based on rovers, manned lunar and other celestial missions, and on-site resource utilization missions.

Source: Sohu

Related Recommendations
  • Changguang Huaxin's revenue in the first half of the year was 142 million yuan, and its net profit decreased by 117.97% year-on-year

    On August 30th, Changguang Huaxin released its results for the first half of 2023. In the first half of this year, the company achieved a revenue of 142 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 43.23%; Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company -10.6374 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 117.97%.Due to macroeconomic factors such as a slowdown in economic growth, market con...

    2023-08-31
    See translation
  • Abnormal relativistic emission generated by strong interaction between laser and plasma reflector

    The interaction between strong laser pulses and plasma mirrors has been a focus of recent physical research, as they generate interesting effects. Experiments have shown that these interactions can generate a nonlinear physical process called high-order harmonics, characterized by emitting extreme ultraviolet radiation and brief flashes of laser light.Researchers from the Czech Extreme Light Infra...

    2023-12-04
    See translation
  • The most advanced gas sensing laser technology will be exhibited at the upcoming CEM 2023 exhibition in Barcelona

    Nanoplus Nanosystems and Technologies GmbH is an ISO 9001:14001 certified supplier and one of the world's most famous laser manufacturers for gas sensing applications. The cornerstone of nanoplus's success is its unique patented method of manufacturing DFB laser sources. Nanoplus celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and separated from the University of Vilzburg in 1998.Among the outstanding i...

    2023-09-14
    See translation
  • NASA will demonstrate laser communications on the space station to improve space communications capabilities

    Recently, in order to improve the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space communications capabilities, NASA plans to send a technology demonstration called "Integrated LCRD Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T)" to the space station in 2023.ILLUMA-T and the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), launched in December 2021, will together comp...

    2023-09-04
    See translation
  • Manz AG officially announces its application for bankruptcy restructuring

    Last month, Manz AG officially announced that the company is about to undergo bankruptcy restructuring. The board of directors of the company believes that due to insufficient liquidity and excessive debt, Manz AG intends to apply for bankruptcy proceedings in accordance with bankruptcy laws. The application is expected to be submitted in the next few days. Manz AG is headquartered in Reutlingen...

    01-07
    See translation