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20 pages, 1851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Habitability of Venus: Conceptual Design of a Small Atmospheric Probe

by Pol Ribes-Pleguezuelo, Bruno Delacourt, Mika K. G. Holmberg, Elisabetta Iorfida, Philipp Reiss, Guillermo Salinas and Agnieszka Suliga

Aerospace 2021, 8(7), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8070173 - 25 Jun 2021

Viewed by 3844

Abstract

The possible presence of life in the atmosphere of Venus has been debated frequently over the last 60 years. The discussion was recently reignited by the possible detection of phosphine (PH

_{3}

), but several other chemicals potentially relevant for life processes are [...] Read more.

The possible presence of life in the atmosphere of Venus has been debated frequently over the last 60 years. The discussion was recently reignited by the possible detection of phosphine (PH

_{3}

), but several other chemicals potentially relevant for life processes are also found in the middle atmosphere. Moreover, the reasons for the heterogeneous ultraviolet (UV) absorption between 320 and 400 nm in the altitude range ∼40–70 km are still not well understood. These aspects could be further studied in-situ by UV Raman and fluorescence instruments. Here, the conceptual design of a small balloon probe (<20 kg) is presented, including a science payload comprising a UV laser, spectrometer, and a telescope. The goal of the proposed mission is to analyse the absorption of UV light in Venus’ atmosphere, to study the atmospheric composition, and to verify the possible presence of biomarkers. Current state-of-the-art technologies would allow a more cost-efficient and easy to develop mission, as compared to previous Venus probes. This article is focused on the scientific instrumentation, as well as on the mass and power budgets required to realise the proposed mission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Satellite Technologies and Mission Concepts)

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25 pages, 2980 KiB

Open AccessReview

Laser Technology in Photonic Applications for Space

by Denis Guilhot and Pol Ribes-Pleguezuelo

Instruments 2019, 3(3), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments3030050 - 11 Sep 2019

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 14866

Abstract

The registered history of laser technologies for space application starts with the first laser echoes reflected off the Moon in 1962. Since then, photonic technologies have become very prominent in most technical development. Their presence has also dramatically increased in space applications thanks to the many advantages they present over traditional equivalent devices, such as the immunity against electromagnetic interference, as well as their efficiency and low power consumption. Lasers are one of the key components in most of those applications. In this review, we present an overview of the main technologies involving lasers that are currently deployed in space, before reviewing the requirements for lasers to be reliable in that environment before discussing the advantages and drawbacks of replacing standard technologies by newly developed photonic laser-based devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Devices Instrumentation and Applications)

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13 pages, 4296 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Insights of the Qualified ExoMars Laser and Mechanical Considerations of Its Assembly Process

by Pol Ribes-Pleguezuelo, Denis Guilhot, Marta Gilaberte Basset, Erik Beckert, Ramona Eberhardt and Andreas Tünnermann

Instruments 2019, 3(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments3020025 - 19 Apr 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5807

Abstract

1960 is the birth year of both the laser and the Mars exploration missions. Eleven years passed before the first successful landing on Mars, and another six before the first rover could explore the planet’s surface. In 2011, both technologies were reunited with the first laser landing on Mars as part of the ChemCam instrument, integrated inside the Curiosity Rover. In 2020, two more rovers with integrated lasers are expected to land on Mars: one through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Mars 2020 mission and another through the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars mission. The ExoMars mission laser is one of the components of the Raman Spectrometer instrument, which the Aerospace Technology National Institute of Spain (INTA) is responsible for. It uses as its excitation source a laser designed by Monocrom and manufactured in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF). In this paper, we present for the first time the final flight module laser that has been installed in the rover’s onboard laboratory and validated to be shipped to Mars in 2020. Particular emphasis is given to mechanical considerations and assembly procedures, as the ExoMars laser assembly has required soldering techniques in contrast to the standard adhesive technologies used for most laser assembly processes in order to fulfill the environmental and optical requirements of the mission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Devices Instrumentation and Applications)

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