Wind Tunnel

Mars tank and wind tunnel

Simulation of the Martian aerosol is performed in a unique re-circulating wind tunnel enclosed in a low pressure atmospheric chamber. Importantly such a system allows the atmosphere to be carefully controlled and monitored and the dust to be stored for long periods of time compared to flow-through systems. Typical wind speeds of 0-10 m/s can be reproduced with variable dust density. A liquid nitrogen cooling system allows the extreme low temperatures on Mars to be achieved, this also allows the low humidity to be reproduced.

Mars laboratory team

The mechanical, chemical, optical and electrical damage caused by adhered dust constitutes a major risk to instruments on Mars. In the two years of research it has been found that dust sticks readily to any and all surfaces invariably forming aggregates as the dust sticks to itself.