AEP Oxford development 2008/2009
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics
Abstract
The AEP experiment is the meteorological package selected for the Exomars lander which is now due for launch in 2013. The instrument package is a joint development between Oxford and the Open University. This proposal is for funding until 31/3/2009, a period which covers the instrument Preliminary Design Review, and manufacture of the Structural Thermal Model instrument package. Oxford's role in the project is to develop the deployable meteorological boom sub-system and to integrate and test the sensors on this boom. This will involve verifying our facility's suitability to meet planetary protection regulations, design of the boom, actuator and wiring and extensive testing of the system in our vacuum facilities. Oxford are also fabricating two of the sensor types: the temperature sensors and the wind sensors which will be tested and calibrated in Oxford's Martian wind tunnel.
Publications
Wilson C
(2008)
A wind tunnel for the calibration of Mars wind sensors
in Planetary and Space Science
Polkko J
(2000)
The NetLander atmospheric instrument system (ATMIS): description and performance assessment
in PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE
| Description | Consortium lead by Instituto Nazionale Di Astrofisica, Naples to develop a meteorological package for Exomars 2016 |
| Organisation | National Institute for Astrophysics |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Design of wind sensor and electronics. Contributions to proposal submitted in March 2011 |
| Collaborator Contribution | Consortium management. Flight hardware. |
| Impact | Proposal submitted to ESA and currently in competition for inclusion on the ExoMars 2016 EDM |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Instrument development with NASA GSFC |
| Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
| Department | Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Design of optics, focal planes, filter assemblies and structural elements of space instruments. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We are working with GSFC to develop instrumentation for new missions which will result in joint proposals for remote sensing and lander instruments |
| Impact | Study reports instrument proposals in preparation |
| Description | Meteorological instrument development |
| Organisation | Open University |
| Department | Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The development of wind and temperatures sensors and a support structure to deploy them. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The joint development has made it possible for us to develop a coordinated suite of meteorological sensors. The suite has not yet been flown but, once succesful, will provide much richer scientific results than the sensors individually. The Open University contributed project management as well as technology development. |
| Impact | The main output during this funding period was the successful passing of a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the instrument suite. This involved the production of large numbers of support documents and a detailed review by ESA engineers. |
| Start Year | 2006 |
| Description | Public lectures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 5 lectures specific to the instrument and mission development funded under this grant. One school visit and four to Astronomical Societies. nothing measureable. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009 |