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2018 Mars Global Dust Storm – Effects of Airborne Dust and Particle Deposition on Mars Science Laboratory SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) Instrument Inlet Cover Actuator Temperatures
  • +7
  • benito prats,
  • doug archer,
  • melissa trainer,
  • charles malespin,
  • samuel teinturier,
  • scott guzewich,
  • paul mahaffy,
  • mark lemmon,
  • german martinez,
  • kurt gonter
benito prats
goddard space flight center

Corresponding Author:benito.d.prats@nasa.gov

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doug archer
johnson space center
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melissa trainer
goddard space flight center
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charles malespin
goddard space flight center
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samuel teinturier
goddard space flight center
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scott guzewich
goddard space flight center
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paul mahaffy
goddard space flight center
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mark lemmon
space science institute
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german martinez
university of michigan
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kurt gonter
jet propulsion laboratory
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Abstract

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument is a suite of instruments aboard the Mars Science Laboratory that landed on Mars in 2012. Recent measurements of SAM inlet cover actuator temperatures during the 2018 Mars Global Dust Storm have shown less extreme, more benign effects that are beneficial to mechanism performance. These in-situ measurements and models developed from the current study can guide development of actuators and mechanisms on future robotic and manned mission to Mars. Deck-mounted actuators saw drastic, factor of two reduction in diurnal temperature range from 70C to 35C. Maximum temperatures were reduced from +10C to -10C due lower daytime air temperature and attenuation of solar flux absorbed by the actuator body due to increased opacity. Minimum temperatures increased from -60C to -45C due to warmer night-time air temperatures and an enhanced downwelling atmospheric radiation at the surface also caused by dust in the air. Another demonstration of the effects of the dust storm on inlet cover actuator temperature is the linear relation of optical depth plotted against logarithmic diurnal temperature range. Air-fall dust deposition on the white rover deck during the dust storm is indicated by scatter on this linear trend. Other constantly-monitored SAM temperatures include sensors on a second actuator that also shows the effects discussed above and two sensors mounted internally to SAM with less pronounced effects. In this work we will present an overview of the dust storm effects superimposed on the seasonal variation of actuator and other SAM temperatures.