{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":93966,"title":"Effect of the Mars Environment on Spacecraft Materials","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10775,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10770,"level":3,"code":"TX09.4.5","title":"Modeling and Simulation for EDL","definition":"Modeling and simulation for EDL refers to the computer codes, underlying physical models, and processes that enable configuration definition and design verification and validation for systems that—short of a full scale flight test—cannot be tested exactly in the configuration and environment for which it is intended to operate. The models cover both the environmental response to the presence of the system in operation, and the operational performance of the system in the environment. A key concern is understanding and modeling of interactions between rocket plumes and the ground.","exampleTechnologies":"Multi-disciplinary coupled analysis tools, aerothermodynamics modeling, ablative material response models, non-ablative material response models, TPS quantification models and processes, numerical methodologies and techniques, autonomous aerobraking, orbital debris entry and breakup modeling, meteor entry and breakup modeling, Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) tools, SRP modeling tools, aerodynamic modeling tools, plume-surface interaction, multi-scale simulation tools","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":1,"currentTrl":1,"endTrl":1,"benefits":"This theoretical study provides strong justification to conduct experimental work to investigate the interaction between spacecraft materials with simulated Martian environments to reduce Mars exploration costs.","description":"The goal is to develop a test methodology for spacecraft material corrosion resistance; evaluate aerospace materials and surface treatments. This data will support materials selection recommendations for long-duration missions on Mars. Corrosion mechanism studies will be carried out using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) in a simulated Mars atmospheric environment with gas mixture and temperature controls. The chemical interaction between spacecraft aluminum and the Martian regolith will also be investigated in the Mars chamber with UV radiation, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Mars gas, and perchlorate brine exposure. Results will be a validated and refined material testing methodology for corrosion property testing. This theoretical study provides strong justification to conduct experimental work to investigate the interaction between spacecraft materials with simulated Martian environments to reduce Mars exploration costs.","destinations":[{"lkuCodeId":1518,"code":"MARS","description":"Mars","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}},{"lkuCodeId":1548,"code":"FOUNDATIONAL_KNOWLEDGE","description":"Foundational Knowledge","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}}],"startYear":2018,"startMonth":3,"endYear":2019,"endMonth":3,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":300862,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Luz","lastName":"Calle","fullName":"Luz M Calle","fullNameInverted":"Calle, Luz M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"luz.m.calle@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":335305,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Lapointe","fullName":"Michael R Lapointe","fullNameInverted":"Lapointe, Michael R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"michael.r.lapointe@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":392233,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Richard","lastName":"Howard","fullName":"Richard W Howard","fullNameInverted":"Howard, Richard W","middleInitial":"W","primaryEmail":"richard.w.howard@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":37541,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Barbara","lastName":"Brown","fullName":"Barbara L Brown","fullNameInverted":"Brown, Barbara L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"barbara.l.brown@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/innovation_fund/index.html#.VQb6gUjJzyE","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":53960,"projectId":93966,"transitionDate":"2019-03-01","path":"Closed Out","details":"This report presents the results of a one-year project, funded by NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Innovation Fund in FY18, to conduct a theoretical study on the effect of the Mars environment on spacecraft materials. Corrosion resistance is one of the most important properties in selecting materials for landed spacecraft and structures that will support surface operations for the human exploration of Mars. Currently, the selection of materials is done by assuming that the corrosion behavior of a material on Mars will be the same as that on Earth. This is understandable since there is no data on the corrosion resistance of materials in the Mars environment. However, given that corrosion is defined as the degradation of a metal that results from its chemical interaction with the environment, it cannot be assumed that corrosion is going to be the same in both environments since they are significantly different. The goal of this research was to develop a systematic approach to understand corrosion of spacecraft materials on Mars by conducting a literature search of available data, relevant to corrosion in the Mars environment. This project was motivated by the suggestion, by a team of researchers, that some of the structural degradation observed on Curiosity's wheels may have been caused by corrosive interactions with the transient liquid brines, reported to be present on Mars, while the most significant damage was attributed to rock scratching. An extensive literature search, on data relevant to corrosion on Mars, confirmed the need to investigate the interaction between materials, used for spacecraft and structures designed to support long-term surface operations on Mars, and the Mars environment. Previous preliminary experiments, designed to look at the interaction between aerospace aluminum alloy (AA7075-T73) and the gases present in the Mars atmosphere, at 20oC and a pressure of 700 Pa, showed that there is an interaction between the small amount of oxygen present in the Mars gas and the alloy, when there is a scratch that removes the protective aluminum oxide film. Further studies are needed to consider many other important components of the Mars environment that can affect this interaction such as: the presence of brines, the interaction between these brines and materials, the effect of radiation on these interactions, and the possible catalytic effects of the clays present in the Martian regolith. This theoretical study provides strong justification to conduct experimental work to investigate the interaction between spacecraft materials with simulated Martian environments to reduce Mars exploration costs.","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"March 2019"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"KSC CIF","active":true,"description":"
Each individual NASA Center has full discretion on the use of the funds and the Center Chief Technologists coordinates a competitive process at their Center for the selection of projects. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) considers CIF very important because it encourages employees to develop innovative concepts that, if successful, can solve future mission needs. As in prior years, KSC put a strong emphasis on low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for CIF in support of Space Technology Area Roadmaps that align with KSC core capabilities.
KSC has emphasized partnerships for several years and has benefited in many ways from the other NASA centers and government agencies, academia and industry collaborations. In keeping with this emphasis, a key selection criterion for KSC CIF relates to collaborations and partnerships (with leveraged funding).
","parentProgram":{"acronym":"CIF","active":true,"description":"Through the Center Innovation Fund, the Space Technology Mission Directorate allocates a small portion of the NASA workforce and procurement budget to internal research and development to feed early stage innovation in technology and exploration. Activities with in the Center Innovation Fund are proposed and led by NASA scientists and engineers. These activities and creative initiatives pursue emerging technologies that leverage talent and capabilities at the NASA Centers.
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