 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Success For Thales Space Laser Headed To Mars
Paris, France (SPX) Feb 13, 2007 Thales's space laser programme has achieved a new milestone with the successful completion of shock-resistance tests at over 2,000 g in all three axes. Designed to operate for two years on Mars after a 10-month voyage through space, the Thales laser has already demonstrated impressive performance, including energy delivery of 30 mJ per pulse across a temperature range of -30 to +30oC and the ability to withstand extremely hostile radiation and dust environments. Its ultra-compact size (20 cm long x 5 cm diameter) and low weight (less than 600 g) meet the requirements and constraints of space applications. Developed by Thales in 2000, the DIVA laser with its low form factor, high energy delivery and exceptional beam quality soon attracted the attention of the French space agency (CNES*) and French space radiation research centre (CESR**) in Toulouse. In 2002, Thales, CNES and CESR jointly launched the ambitious ChemCam (Chemistry Camera) project to pioneer a completely new method for analysing Martian rocks. Based on the principle of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), the ChemCam remote rock analysis instrument was selected in 2004 for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission to study the Red Planet. The successful completion of tests to validate the ChemCam laser's ability to withstand vibrations and impacts in excess of 40 g rms and 2,000 g in all three axes marks a key milestone in the development of this technology. The vision of the three partners to develop a revolutionary instrument to analyse Martian rock will soon become a reality as the flight model of the laser is now being readied for delivery to NASA in July 2007. The MSL2009 mission is scheduled to launch in 2009. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Lunar Dreams and more
Opportunity Flips 10 Kilometers And Tests New Drive Software
Pasadena CA (JPL) Feb 13, 2007Opportunity has completed a remote sensing campaign at "Cape Desire" and is on the move to the next promontory, called "Cabo Corrientes." Opportunity's odometer rolled past 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) during the 50.51-meter (166 feet) drive on sol 1080. By contrast, the NASA Level 1 requirements for the mission called for achieving at least 600 meters (1,969 feet) with one rover, and the mission design requirement was for 1,000 meters (3,281 feet). |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
