Mars Balloon Probe

Presented By Woon chee keng Yeo lye hock

What is Mars Balloon Probe?

The Mars Balloon Probe is a project to create a low-cost airborne to explore the planet Mars. It is a low-cost observational platforms and is routinely used in observations of the Mars planet. Instruments onboard the Mars Balloon Probe contain a meteorological package, surface sensors and cameras to provide images of the Martian surface. The Mars Balloon Probe is intended to fly during the day and descend to the surface at night.

Weakness on recent design

Until now, the only practical balloon systems proposed to explore the Martian atmosphere have been superpressure balloons which fly at a constant altitude or short-lived helium balloons that precariously drag a snake through all types of surface weather or a day and night combination of the two. the inability to control the paths of Mars Balloon Probe restricts the wider use of balloon probe in the Mars exploration. Converting the balloon probe into an airship by attaching an engine make it too heavy, too power dependent and too expensive to send to the Mars planet.

New conceptual design

. A variable-emissivity superpressure balloon is used to land at night at any Martian latitude. The balloon is gold-coated and filled by water vapour during both night and day. . Gold coating can provide enough solar absorptance to overcome the convective cooling during Mars re-entry although aluminized balloons will have an adequate steady-state temperature once float is archieved. Mylar system is employed for the surface of the balloon to replace the polyethylene

How does it work?

Gold coating that has the high solar absorptance is used to maximize the temperature of the water vapor in the balloon. The water vapor inside the balloon becomes hotter as more heat is absorbed. Particles of water vapor separate more and more when more heat is absorbed. The more heat is absorbed the further apart and less dense the particles become. The solar heat warms the balloon and makes the balloon go up. Hot air has a heavier density than hot air.

New conceptual design of Mars Balloon Probe

 A small and light motor is used to control the exposing of an upper white section on the balloon. The section of the upper white balloon plays a huge role in controlling the altitude of the balloon probe. Exposing a section of the upper white balloon reduces the temperature and pressure in the balloon to create negative buoyancy, thus causing descent, while replacement of the gold top cover causes reascent. The Mars Balloon Probe can land at prescribed targets by exposing a section of the upper white balloon surface to the radiant cooling of deep space during the night. Specific areas can be targeted for landings by using atmospheric currents at various altitudes.

Materials of new conceptual design

Water vapour
is used as the lift gas

Gold
Is used to coat the balloon Gold coated balloon has small specific heat capacity : heat required to raise its temperature is small also has excellent corrosion resistance is reasonably optical coating can help withstand deterioration and chemical breakdown

 Mylar system
is employed for the surface of the balloon to replace the polyethylene as lightweight polyethylene balloon becomes non functional when the temperature of the gold is above 380K requires netting reinforcement at greater cost. an extraordinarily strong polyester film. extremely high superior strength, heat resistance excellent insulating properties. good electric insulator.

 Supports separate electrical conductor without allowing current through themselves. Mylar is transparent. high tensile strength. high chemical stability good reflective surface. good gas barrier and odour barrier. can withstand and remain stable in a wide range of temperatures.

Theories Involved
Archimedes principle Archimedes principle is a law of physics stating that force is termed the buoyant force and it is equal to the weight of the displaced volume from the liquid The weight of the displaced fluid is directly proportional to the volume of the displaced fluid.

 Apparent immersed weight = Weight Weight of displaced fluid

= =

Newtons laws
The equation of buoyant force is as below: F = (Density of displaced fluid) X (Gravity acceleration) X (Displaced volume) F = (Density of displaced fluid) X (Gravity acceleration) X (Displaced volume) The balloon probe is a body immersed in a fluid, which is air. The displaced volume is the volume that the balloon replaces of air to occupy. Then the equation of buoyant force for balloon probe is as below: F = (Density of air) X (Gravity acceleration) X (Volume of the gas used to fill balloon) Net force = (Upward pushing forces) (Downward pulling forces) F = ma = Fup - Fdown F = ma = (Buoyant force) (Weight of equipment) (Weight of gas container) The equation ignores some effects such as wind direction, surrounding temperature and pressure.

 The lift generated by balloon probe varies with temperature differential that is the difference in temperature inside the balloon to that of the surrounding air mass and air pressure. The equation of the lift is as below: Lift = V X
2.87

X(

Where, Lift = Balloon probe lift (kg) V = Envelope volume (m3) P = Pressure at the operating altitude (hPa) Tamb = Ambient temperature (K) Tenv = Envelope temperature (K)

ADVANTAGES OF NEW CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

some disadvantages
When we choose to use gold coatings to maximize balloon temperatures, we can no longer employ lightweight polyethylene balloons because they would become non functional at golds 380K and instead must employ Mylar system. This requires netting reinforcement at greater cost. Being an excellent conductor, gold has an extremely low emittance that can be easily degraded by dust or other contaminants in the Martian atmosphere. The landing option of the new Mars Balloon Probe is available only at night.

Thank You