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The Abrasion of Aluminum, Platinum, and Nickel by Martian Dust as Determined by the Mars Pathfinder Wheel Abrasion Experiment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Dale Ferguson ,
Mark Siebert ,
David Wilt  and
Joseph Kolecki
Dale Ferguson
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, [email protected]
Mark Siebert
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, [email protected]
David Wilt
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, [email protected]
Joseph Kolecki
Affiliation:
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135, [email protected]
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Abstract

The Mars Pathfinder Wheel Abrasion Experiment (WAE) spun a specially prepared wheel with strips of aluminum, platinum, and nickel, in the Martian soil. These materials were chosen because of their differing hardnesses, their ability to stick to anodized aluminum, and their comparative chemical inertness under Earth launch and Mars landing conditions. Abrasion of those samples was detected by the change in their specular reflectances of sunlight as measured by a photovoltaic sensor mounted above the wheel. The degree of abrasion occurring on the samples is discussed, along with comparisons to the abrasion seen in Earth-based laboratory experiments using Martian soil analogs. Conclusions are reached about the hardness, grain size, and angularity of the Martian soil particles, and the precautions which must be undertaken to avoid abrasion on moving parts exposed to the Martian dust.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 551: Symposium JJ – Materials in Space-Science, Technology & Exploration , 1998 , 17
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1999

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