A5069780896- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Aeolian processes and effects
- Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
- Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
- Climate variability and models
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Scientific Computing and Data Management
- Winter Sports Injuries and Performance
- Robot Manipulation and Learning
- Reservoir Engineering and Simulation Methods
- Aerospace Engineering and Energy Systems
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Cruise Tourism Development and Management
- Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence
- Maritime Navigation and Safety
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
2012-2022
California Institute of Technology
1994-2014
University of California, Los Angeles
1994-2006
Brown University
1995
The Curiosity rover discovered fine-grained sedimentary rocks, which are inferred to represent an ancient lake and preserve evidence of environment that would have been suited support a martian biosphere founded on chemolithoautotrophy. This aqueous was characterized by neutral pH, low salinity, variable redox states both iron sulfur species. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus were measured directly as key biogenic elements; inference, is assumed available. probably had...
The ChemCam instrument suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity provides remote compositional information using first laser-induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS) a planetary mission, and sample texture morphology data micro-imager (RMI). Overall, supports MSL with five capabilities: classification of rock soil characteristics; quantitative elemental compositions including light elements like hydrogen some to which LIBS is uniquely sensitive (e.g., Li, Be, Rb, Sr, Ba);...
Abstract. Estimating the future evolution of Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) is critical for improving sea level rise (SLR) projections. Numerical ice sheet models are invaluable tools bounding vulnerability; yet, few continental-scale projections century-scale AIS SLR contribution exist, and those that do vary by up to an order magnitude. This partly because model inherently uncertain depend largely on model's boundary conditions climate forcing, which themselves unknown due uncertainty in...
Abstract During Martian solar days 57–100, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover acquired and processed a solid (sediment) sample analyzed its mineralogy geochemistry with Chemistry Mineralogy Sample Analysis at instruments. An aeolian deposit—herein referred to as Rocknest sand shadow—was inferred represent global average soil composition selected for study facilitate integration of analytical results observations from earlier missions. first‐time activities, Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI)...
This paper will discuss systems engineering challenges in development of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover. As writing this paper, has been successfully exploring surface for months, but during it was not always clear would be a success. MSL is by design three spacecraft one: The cruise system to get from Earth Mars; entry descent and landing system; Rover perform intended scientific exploration. Each these own unique intertwined given integrated nature design. rover's complex...
The Mars exploration rover mission has conducted continuous surface operations for over 24 months to date. processes and tools put in place before landing have continued develop throughout the mission, evolving from a capability intended operate less than four one capable of continuing indefinitely. MER design been accepted as baseline Science Laboratory scheduled launch 2009. Our experiences during MER's exciting unexpectedly extensive phase may provide useful insights other future long...
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography SWOT mission is a partnership between two communities, physical oceanography hydrology, to share high vertical accuracy spatial resolution topography data produced by the science payload, whose principal instrument Ka-band radar Interferometer. will provide large-scale sets of ocean sea-surface height resolving scales 15km (in wavelength) larger, allowing characterization mesoscale submesoscale circulation. Present altimeter constellations can only...
Abstract. Estimating the future evolution of Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) is critical for improving sea level rise (SLR) projections. Numerical ice sheet models are invaluable tools bounding vulnerability; yet, few continental scale projections century-scale AIS SLR contribution exist, and those that do vary by up to an order magnitude. This partly because model inherently uncertain depend largely on model's boundary conditions climate forcing. Here, we aim improve understanding how such...
Abstract Using Earth system models for seasonal sea‐level prediction remains challenging due to model biases and initialization shocks. Here we present a hybrid dynamical approach alleviate some of these issues. The is based on convolving atmospheric forcings with sensitivities forcings. are pre‐computed by the adjoint Estimating Circulation Climate Ocean (ECCO) system. concatenation ECCO before 10‐member predicted forcing ensemble from Community System Model version 4 (CCSM4) after...
A method is presented for in situ cleaning of spacecraft instruments that analyze planetary soil and rock. We have found vibrating hardware, used to facilitate powder transport, was also effective at removing contamination. Surfaces can be cleaned below monolayer levels using surfaces the presence mineral powder. Both organic particulate contamination efficiently removed. Fine grained regolith from surface or an free reference material may serve as cleaning. present both analytical...
One of the primary science goals Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Rover, Curiosity, is detection organics in rock and regolith. To achieve this, Curiosity rover includes a robotic sampling system that acquires regolith samples delivers it to Sample Analysis at (SAM) instrument on board rover. In order provide confidence any significant result was Martian not terrestrial origin, requirement levied flight (i.e., all sources minus SAM instrument) impart no more than 36 parts per billion (ppb by...
This paper will discuss the system level verification and validation test program for surface capability of Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover. MSL has many similarities to its predecessors, Exploration Rovers Spirit Opportunity. However, Curiosity's diverse science payload, new sampling system, overall scale led challenges in development testing. The rover hardware software were developed allow certain functions work parallel maximize that could be done each day on Mars. complex...
Pursuant to recommendations by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine's Earth Science Decadal Survey [1], Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) has announced development an System Observatory (ESO), a series missions designed observe processes across Earth's interior, surface atmosphere. A key component this system is Surface Biology Geology (SBG) investigation. SBG will measure composition properties land, inland waters, coastal oceans. The notional architecture...
Magellan images reveal surface features on Venus attributed to wind processes. Sand dunes, wind-sculpted hills, and more than 5830 streaks have been identified. The serve as local "wind vanes," representing direction at the time of streak formation allowing first global mapping near-surface patterns Venus. Wind are oriented both toward equator west. When associated with transient events, such impact cratering, deleted, westward component is mostly lost but equatorward remains. This pattern...
Application of the pathfinder landing system design to enclose much larger Mars Exploration Rover required a variety rover deployments achieve surface driving configuration. The project schedule demanded that software, design, engineering model test, and flight hardware build be accomplished in parallel. This challenge was met through (a) bounding unknown environments against which (b) early mechanical prototype testing, (c) constraining scope on-board autonomy survival-critical deployments,...