NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover

NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover landed on Mars on 18 Feb 2021. As the rover landed on the surface of Mars, new photographs that showed the surface of Mars directly came in. This mission is considered to be a pioneer source of Mars’ environment due to the new rover designed by NASA. But, how is this launch different from the previous ones? What systems are used in this launch?

Firstly the mission’s name, Perseverance, is named by a 7th grade student who won the essay contest about naming NASA's next rover. This is actually an interpretation of how organizations such as NASA values ideas, especially coming from the younger generations.

This mission’s objectives are

1) exploring a geologically diverse landing site

2) assessing ancient habitability

3) seeking signs of ancient life, particularly in special rocks known to preserve signs of life over time

4) gathering rock and soil samples that could be returned to Earth by a future NASA mission

5) demonstrating technology for future robotic and human exploration

as stated in NASA's booklet.

The rover’s dimensions are stated below just to give you an interpretation of the vehicle.

Length: 3m

Width: 2.7m

Height: 2.2m

Weight: 1,025kg

The energy that the rover needs is produced by a special device called Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). This device is specially designed by the engineers of NASA to provide a functioning energy source for the space missions. Although the same fundamental principle used in the Apollo 11 mission, the system used in Perseverance is more sophisticated. Basically how this energy system works is that it converts the heat energy, in other words, thermal energy to electrical energy. The MMRTG uses eight modules of General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) which produce 2kW thermal power by using Plutonium-238. Furthermore, the system is an independent source of energy providing an expected minimum lifetime of 14 years for the rover to function properly. The crucial part is that since plutonium is a reactive element and encounters its usage in many weapons and fuels, it is vital to have a large amount of plutonium especially providing enough energy resources for these kinds of missions. Let’s get into the process of how the thermal energy is converted into electrical energy that the rover needs.

There is an electrical device which produces temperature-dependent voltage called “thermocouple”. This thermocouple consists of two electrical junctions which enable physical contact between semiconductors or multiple conductors. By this physical contact, a temperature-dependent voltage is produced which actually indicates the degree of the temperature. Using the thermocouple, the thermal energy is transformed into electric voltage, the process we call as the thermoelectric effect scientifically. The system basically functions by detecting a temperature change. If the temperature between two sides of the device are different, the system automatically creates a voltage. However, the system also works in the opposite order. For example, if a voltage is applied to one side, the heat is transferred to the other side. It is generally based on balancing the energy. Therefore, I believe, it is now clear how thermal energy produced by GPHS is converted into voltage (electrical energy). All in all, the rover has an independent energy source providing a long lifespan for itself to explore more about the Red Planet.

The rover basically consists of seven different parts. Each of them has a different function, trying to enlighten the ambiguity on Mars.

1) SHERLOC: This device will look for any organics and minerals by using a camera, laser and a spectrometer.

2) MOXIE: This instrument aims to investigate how the astronauts will produce oxygen by using carbon dioxide. Therefore, this device’s investigation will yield important data for human exploration

3) Mastcam-Z: A sophisticated camera that tries to detect surface minerals.

4) PIXL: Tries to identify chemical elements and soil textures.

5) RIMFAX: A radar that will map the underground geological structure of Mars.

6) Meda: Detects temperature, humidity, wind direction, pressure, and dust.

7) SuperCam: Investigates rock and soil structure to provide information about organic compounds

But, why is this launch so important? It is the first rover mission designed to investigate signs of prior microbial activity and any evidence of life. By the data gained by the rover, the scientists will try to predict the probability of any sign of life. Except these, the rover will try to identify the structure of the rocks and geological structures in order to provide a better visualization of Mars. Additionally, NASA is planning to have a human exploration of Mars by launching a mission in 2033. Therefore, this rover plays a critical role in investigating the environmental conditions since these conditions are vital for human exploration in the next decade.

Overall, recently landed NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover consists of a complex structural system which is explained above. There is no doubt that this mission will provide more wider insights about the possible human landing on Mars.

References

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53129281#:~:text=Perseverance%20will%20also%20study%20the,from%20CO2%20in%20the%20atmosphere.&text=Perseverance%20will%20explore%20Jezero%20Crater,(about%20687%20Earth%20days).

https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermocouple

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_junction

https://mars.nasa.gov/news/8622/virginia-middle-school-student-earns-honor-of-naming-nasas-next-mars-rover/

https://mars.nasa.gov/files/mars2020/Mars2020_Fact_Sheet.pdf