The Petrochemistry of Jake_M: A Martian Mugearite

“Jake_M,” the first rock analyzed by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer instrument on the Curiosity rover, differs substantially in chemical composition from other known martian igneous rocks: It is alkaline (&gt;15% normative nepheline) and relatively fractionated. Jake_M is compositionally similar to terrestrial mugearites, a rock type typically found at ocean islands and continental rifts. By analogy with these comparable terrestrial rocks, Jake_M could have been produced by extensive fractional crystallization of a primary alkaline or transitional magma at elevated pressure, with or without elevated water contents. The discovery of Jake_M suggests that alkaline magmas may be more abundant on Mars than on Earth and that Curiosity could encounter even more fractionated alkaline rocks (for example, phonolites and trachytes).</jats:p

Mars’ Surface Radiation Environment Measured with the Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity Rover

The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on the Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity rover began making detailed measurements of the cosmic ray and energetic particle radiation environment on the surface of Mars on 7 August 2012. We report and discuss measurements of the absorbed dose and dose equivalent from galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles on the martian surface for ~300 days of observations during the current solar maximum. These measurements provide insight into the radiation hazards associated with a human mission to the surface of Mars and provide an anchor point with which to model the subsurface radiation environment, with implications for microbial survival times of any possible extant or past life, as well as for the preservation of potential organic biosignatures of the ancient martian environment.</jats:p

Robust future interplanetary mission planning [abstract]

Abstract only availableFaculty Mentor: Dr. Craig Kluever, Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringFuture mission planning requires years of planning in advance. Preliminary mission design must be evaluated years before the mission launches. A generic robust program was developed to solve Kepler's Problem via Gauss' Solution using universal variables. The program was developed to be general and allow for more celestial objects, other than the nine planets, to be added to the ephemeris. The file developed can analyze C3, launch ΔV, arrival ΔV, or total mission ΔV. The Gauss' Solution is generic enough analyze missions independent of the launch or arrival body. The program developed only evaluates type 1 and 2 orbits, however analysis could be continued to include type 3 or 4 orbits, or planetary fly-by gravity assists.Missouri Space Grant Consortiu