Galileo Net Flux Radiometer Experiment

Sromovsky, Lawrence A.; Best, F. A.; Revercomb, H. E.; Hayden, Jeffrey L.

doi:10.1007/978-94-011-2512-3_9

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Three NFR instruments have flown to planets in the past, namely the large probe infrared radiometer (Boese et al, 1980) on Pioneer-Venus large probe, small probe NFR on Pioneer-Venus small probe (Colin and Hunten, 1977), and the NFR on the jovian Galileo probe (Sromovsky et al, 1992) for in situ measurements within the venusian and jovian atmospheres, respectively. These instruments were designed to measure the downward and upward radiation flux within their respective atmospheres as the probe descended by parachute.…”

Section: Measuring Net Energy Fluxmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations

Mousis

Atkinson

Cavalié

et al. 2018

Planetary and Space Science

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The ice giants Uranus and Neptune are the least understood class of planets in our solar system but the most frequently observed type of exoplanets. Presumed to have a small rocky core, a deep interior comprising ∼70% heavy elements surrounded by a more dilute outer envelope of H 2 and He, Uranus and Neptune are fundamentally different from the better-explored gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. Because of the lack of dedicated exploration missions, our knowledge of the composition and atmospheric processes of these distant worlds is primarily derived from remote sensing from Earth-based observatories and space telescopes. As a result, Uranus's and Neptune's physical and atmospheric properties remain poorly constrained and their roles in the evolution of the Solar System not well understood. Exploration of an ice giant system is therefore a highpriority science objective as these systems (including the magnetosphere, satellites, rings, atmosphere, and interior) challenge our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. Here we describe the main scientific goals to be addressed by a future in situ exploration of an ice giant. An atmospheric entry probe targeting the 10-bar level, about 5 scale heights beneath the tropopause, would yield insight into two broad themes : i) the formation history of the ice giants and, in a broader extent, that of the Solar System, and ii) the processes at play in planetary atmospheres. The probe would descend under parachute to measure composition, structure, and dynamics, with data returned to Earth using a Carrier Relay Spacecraft as a relay station. In addition, possible mission concepts and partnerships are presented, and a strawman ice-giant probe payload is described. An ice-giant atmospheric probe could represent a significant ESA contribution to a future NASA ice-giant flagship mission.

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Section: Measuring Net Energy Fluxmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations

Mousis

Atkinson

Cavalié

et al. 2018

Planetary and Space Science

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“…The basic equation relating digital count output in a given channel to the external radiation flux is essentially (Sromovsky et al, 1992):…”

Section: Radiometric Calibrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The IG-NFR is designed to exceed baseline instrument requirements discussed in the IGPDS study Science Traceability Matrix (STM). The IGPDS study baselines the Galileo probe NFR (Sromovsky et al, 1992(Sromovsky et al, , 1998. The science objectives and the features for both instruments are given in Table 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced Net Flux Radiometer for the Ice Giants

et al. 2020

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The design of an advanced Net Flux Radiometer (NFR), for inclusion as a payload on a future Ice Giants Probe mission, is given. The Ice Giants NFR (IG-NFR) will measure the upward and downward radiation flux (hence net radiation flux), in seven spectral bands, spanning the range from solar to far infra-red wavelengths, each with a 5° Field-Of-View (FOV) and in five sequential view angles (±80°, ±45°, and 0°) as a function of altitude. IG-NFR measurements within either Uranus or Neptune's atmospheres, using dedicated spectral filter bands will help derive radiative heating and cooling profiles, and will significantly contribute to our understanding of the planet's atmospheric heat balance and structure, tropospheric 3-D flow, and compositions and opacities of the cloud layers. The IG-NFR uses an array of non-imaging Winston cones integrated to a matched thermopile detector Focal Plane Assembly (FPA), with individual bandpass filters, housed in a diamond windowed vacuum micro-vessel. The FPA thermopile detector signals are read out in parallel mode, amplified and processed by a multi-channel digitizer application specific integrated circuit (MCD ASIC) under field programmable gate array (FPGA) control. The vacuum micro-vessel rotates providing chopping between FOV's of upward and downward radiation fluxes. This unique design allows for small net flux measurements in the presence of large ambient fluxes and rapidly changing ambient temperatures during the Probe descent to ≥10 bar pressure.

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“…12 Net Flux Radiometer (NFR): Drawing on heritage from the Galileo and Pioneer Venus missions, the NFR instrument will use a high temperature flux plate to investigate the stratification and distribution of radiative energy dynamics, which drive Venusian atmospheric circulation. 13,14 Magnetometer: The magnetosphere of Venus is substantially different from that of Earth and is of high interest for further investigation. A flux magnetometer, similar to previous instruments flown on Pioneer Venus and Cassini, will record these measurements at various altitudes.…”

Section: Ivii Descent Science Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(13): [13] Which gives Eq. (14): [14] Where for and (for simplifying the analysis), we get a gain of ~6.828. The equation for the size of an antenna to achieve this gain can be approximated by the parabolic equation:…”

Section: Iviii Surface Science Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Venus high temperature atmospheric dropsonde and extreme-environment seismometer (HADES)

et al. 2015

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The atmospheric composition and geologic structure of Venus have been identified by the US National Research Council's Decadal Survey for Planetary Science as priority targets for scientific exploration, however the high temperature and pressure at the surface, along with the highly corrosive chemistry of the Venus atmosphere, present significant obstacles to spacecraft design that have severely limited past and proposed landed missions. Following the methodology of the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) proposal regime and the Collaborative Modeling and Parametric Assessment of Space Systems (COMPASS) design protocol, this paper presents a conceptual study and initial feasibility analysis for a Discovery-class Venus lander capable of an extended-duration mission at ambient temperature and pressure, incorporating emerging technologies within the field of high temperature electronics in combination with novel configurations of proven, high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) systems. Radioisotope Thermal Power (RTG) systems and silicon carbide (SiC) communications and data handling are examined in detail, and various high-temperature instruments are proposed, including a seismometer and an advanced photodiode imager. The study combines this technological analysis with proposals for a descent instrument package and a relay orbiter to demonstrate the viability of an integrated atmospheric and in-situ geologic exploratory mission that differs from previous proposals by greatly reducing the mass, power requirements, and cost, while achieving important scientific goals.

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Galileo Net Flux Radiometer Experiment

Cited by 5 publications

References 7 publications

Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations

Scientific rationale for Uranus and Neptune in situ explorations

Advanced Net Flux Radiometer for the Ice Giants

Venus high temperature atmospheric dropsonde and extreme-environment seismometer (HADES)

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