Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) for Phoenix

Aaron P Zent; Michael H Hecht; Doug R Cobos; Gaylon S Campbell; Colin S Campbell; Greg Cardell; Marc C Foote; Stephen E Wood; Manish Mehta

doi:10.1029/2007JE003052

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Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) for Phoenix

Journal article

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Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) for Phoenix

Aaron P Zent, Michael H Hecht, Doug R Cobos, Gaylon S Campbell, Colin S Campbell, Greg Cardell, Marc C Foote, Stephen E Wood and Manish Mehta

Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Vol.114(E3), pp.E00A27-n/a

03/2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JE003052

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https://hdl.handle.net/2376/113834

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Abstract

Mars

regolith

Phoenix

The Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) is a component of the Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA) payload on the Phoenix Lander. TECP will measure the temperature, thermal conductivity, and volumetric heat capacity of the regolith. It will also detect and quantify the population of mobile H2O molecules in the regolith, if any, throughout the polar summer, by measuring the electrical conductivity of the regolith as well as the dielectric permittivity. In the vapor phase, TECP is capable of measuring the atmospheric H2O vapor abundance as well as augmenting the wind velocity measurements from the meteorology instrumentation. TECP is mounted near the end of the 2.3 m Robotic Arm and can be placed either in the regolith material or held aloft in the atmosphere. This paper describes the development and calibration of the TECP. In addition, substantial characterization of the instrument has been conducted to identify behavioral characteristics that might affect landed surface operations. The greatest potential issue identified in characterization tests is the extraordinary sensitivity of the TECP to placement. Small gaps alter the contact between the TECP and regolith, complicating data interpretation. Testing with the Phoenix Robotic Arm identified mitigation techniques that will be implemented during flight. A flight model of the instrument was also field tested in the Antarctic Dry Valleys during the 2007–2008 International Polar Year.

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Title: Thermal and Electrical Conductivity Probe (TECP) for Phoenix
Creators: Aaron P Zent - NASA Ames Research Center
Michael H Hecht - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Doug R Cobos - Decagon Devices
Gaylon S Campbell - Decagon Devices
Colin S Campbell - Decagon Devices
Greg Cardell - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Marc C Foote - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Stephen E Wood - University of Washington
Manish Mehta - University of Michigan
Publication Details: Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Vol.114(E3), pp.E00A27-n/a
Academic Unit: Crop and Soil Sciences, Department of
Number of pages: 19
Identifiers: 99900547535701842
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article