Brief introduction of YINGHUO-1 Micro-satellite for Mars environment exploration J. Wu, G. Zhu, H. Zhao, C. Wang, L. Lei, Y. Sun, W. Guo and S. Huang Center for Space Science and Applied Research, CAS Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, CAS
Yinghuo (YH) -- Name of the mission China has long history of astronomical observation of Mars, the very first observation record was made during BC. The mission is named after the ancient Chinese name for Mars “YingHuo” Ying --- Red Huo --- unpredictable Yinghuo-1 (YH-1) mission
Fly opportunity with Phobos-Grunt China and Russia signed the agreement in March The cooperation includes: 1)Piggy back launch of a Chinese Mars exploration satellite YH-1 (~115kg) 2)Russia will provide ground TTC support to YH-1 3)Phobos-Grunt and YH-1 will carry out joint measurements of Martian space environment
Fly opportunity with Phobos-Grunt
Overview of the spacecraft YH-1 –3 axis stabilized platform, with deployable solar panel –Mass: 110kg –Power: 90W (average) 180W (peak) –payload mass: 11 kg –payload power: 20 W –nominal life time: 1 year
Overview of the spacecraft YH-1 orbit parameters : apogee ~80,000 km perigee 800 km inclination 36 800km 80000km Orbit of Phobos
Scientific objectives of YH-1 This orbit will well cover the areas of solar wind, bow shock, magnetosheath, magnetic pileup region, and tail and plasma sheet. Nagy et al.,2004
Scientific Objectives 1To study details of Martian space magnetosphere, ionosphere and the plasma distribution and their variations; 2To study Martian ion escape mechanism, its implication for water loss. 3To have moderate surveys of Martian surface topography, sandstorm and its influence on ionosphere; 4To explore the Martian gravity field near equator by analyzing orbital data of YH-1.
InstrumentsGoals Flux gate magnetometerSpace magnetic field measurement P lasma package Electron analyzerMeasuring plasma distribution : energy, mass, velocity two ion analyzers Two frequency occultation receiver Ionosphere occultation Photo-imagerSandstorm and Mars surface imaging Scientific payloads of YH-1
Magnetometer Flux-gate magnetometer, measures 3 components of magnetic field. 2 sensors –double redundant –gradiometer to eliminate S/C remnance Sensor A Sensor B Solar panel YH-1 spacecraft
Magnetometer
Plasma package two identical ion analyzers one electron analyzer electronics Plasma Package
Plasma package Ion analyzer –Electrostatic analyzer + TOF scheme, to resolve ion mass/direction/energy Specifications –Field of view: 360 160 , 8 angular sectors in polar direction –Energy range: 20eV-15keV –Energy resolution: 7%, 96 bins –Mass resolution: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, >32 amu 2 identical ion sensors simultaneous measurements –Better angular coverage and resolving ability
Plasma Package Electron analyzer –Electrostatic analyzer –Electron direction/energy spectrum Specifications –Field of view: 9 120 8 azimuth angular sectors –Energy range: 20eV-15keV –Energy resolution: 15%, 32 bins
Occultation Receiver –Sensitivity: ≤-145 dBW; –Measuring accuracy of carrier phases: 1/100 cycle(0.02m); –Sampling rate: 10Hz; –Antenna polarization: linear polarization; –Operating frequencies: 833MHz, 416.5MHz
Receive signals at two frequencies from Phobos mission, Ionosphere Occultation between YH-1 and Phobos Focused on sub-solar and midnight ionosphere, never tapped by previous occultation due to limit of Sun-Earth-Mars geometry. Occultation Receiver
Optical Imager CMOS Imaging Sensor Specifications Wide FOV camera Narrow FOV camera Pixels≥ 4 million SNR≥30dB Power < 3W Weight1.3±0.1kg Resolution global 10,000km ≤0.5Km at Perigee ≤ 0.3Km at Perigee SDRAM10 full resolution image 5 full resolution image
Besides independent observation of the Martian environment, joint operations with Phobos mission are also planned: 1.Two-point measurements of the Mars space environment 2.S/C to S/S radio occultation measurements 3.Data archiving and exchange Joint Operations
1.Two-point measurements of the Martian space environment Joint Operations
2.S/C to S/C radio occultation measurements Before/after FGSC landed on Phobos
Start time (UTCG) Off time ( UTCG ) duration backup :53 : :04: min :24: :40: min :56: :16: min :27: :51: min :59: :26: min :31: :35:37.824min :58: :02:6.844min :03: :07:23.064min :33: :37:12.914min :12: :15:27.383min :15: :17: minEclipse
YH-1 and Phobos-Grunt are going to make a series scientific break through in the area of Mars space environment exploration. We should get fully prepared for these exciting events with good plans of joint operation. Summary
Thank You! IEEE Spectrum