Thermal Vacuum and Mars pressure thermal tests

Posted by Alina Spuma,
On July 5, 2021
0

In this success case, we present the set-up and results for SuperCam calibration target thermal test execution. You can find a complete explanation about:

Requirements for thermal vacuum and Mars pressure tests.
Used equipment:
- Custom thermal vacuum chamber for extended temperature range
- Mars Atmosphere simulation
- Cleanliness control and monitoring
Some images of the set-up and the results of temperature and vacuum evolution during vacuum phase and Mars pressure test

About Environmental and Mechanical test

Environmental: Performing an environmental test means subjecting the device or system to certain environmental conditions (cold, dry heat, relative humidity, etc.) in order to check if the operational parameters remain within the range defined by the applicable regulations.
Mechanical: The purpose of mechanical shock testing is to evaluate the reliability of devices subjected to severe shocks which might result from suddenly applied forces or abrupt changes in motion produced by rough handling, transportation, or field operation.

The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover will search for signs of ancient microbial life, which will advance NASA’s quest to explore the past habitability of Mars.

Among other scientific instruments, the rover is equipped with zoomable panoramic cameras (Mastcam-Z) and Laser Micro-Imager (SuperCam), among other scientific instruments. Every scientific instrument needs calibration, and the calibration for these instruments is a major challenge as each technique requires its own standard and reference.

The SuperCam calibration target (SCCT) carries a complex set of standards for imaging calibration, mineral identification, and chemometric calculations or spectral references to calibrate and evaluate the health instrument basic.

Alter Technology laboratory in Madrid, Spain was chosen by SCCT developers to perform the environmental and mechanical tests on qualification and flight models to verify the instrument suitability for harsh environmental conditions during the launch, cruise, landing, and operation on Mars.

Alina Spuma,

Optoelectronics and New Technology department at Alter Technology

Irina Alina Spuma graduated as Electronic Engineer by ETIT Faculty of "Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania.

She is working since 2008 in Optoelectronics and New Technology department of Alter Technology in Madrid, Spain. During these years she was involved in several projects for the qualification of EEE and E/O components for space applications. She participated in ESA Artes project for the manufacturing and qualification of a new technology contactless angular sensors (CLAS).

She works in the development of the test bench for the characterization of CLAS at different temperatures and under vacuum conditions, on the execution of the environmental and mechanical tests and project reporting.

Thermal Vacuum and Mars pressure thermal tests

About Environmental and Mechanical test

Fill the form to download the full case

Previous Post

Monitoring of JUICE Optical Fibers

Next Post

High power lasers screening test