We do not have the benefit of a large number of weather condition stations or orbiting weather satellites at Mars, as is the case on Earth, we do have a number of tools at our disposal to figure out if conditions are appropriate for flight. The most helpful forecasting resource is the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA)– an operating weather station aboard the Perseverance rover. We are not without support from orbital properties, either– both the Mars Color Imager (MARCI) and Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) supply day-to-day updates on the state of the atmosphere– useful for understanding activity outside of Jezero crater that might impact future weather condition.
As Mars transitions into fall, we anticipate a boost in the amount of dust in the environment internationally; levels will remain increased through winter (this duration of the year is described as the “dusty season”). Dust plays a major role in Mars climate, and its characterization is especially important for solar-powered surface area possessions like Ingenuity. Climatic dust will decrease the quantity of sunlight that reaches Ingenuitys photovoltaic panels, which charge the batteries needed for flight. Dust in the environment is heated up by sunlight and warms the surrounding environment, resulting in a reduction of the already-low-density air in which Ingenuity need to fly. Members of the operations group have been actively going over the upcoming dusty season and how to react to the impacts of this changing environment.
A strong local dust storm appeared on the first day of the new year, including Jezero crater simply as we set up Flight 19. We have never seen a storm of this strength so early in the Mars year before. The first indications of the approaching dust storm were identified by Perseverance, which observed increased dust lifting within Jezero crater.
In the days following the flight delay, the dust storm moved over Jezero crater, and we were able to clearly see its impacts in both MEDA information and from orbit (Figure 1). We likewise observed the impact of dust in the quantity of sunlight soaked up by Ingenuitys solar range, which fell well below normal “clear sky” levels, a drop of about 18%.
The dust storm has dissipated, and right now, its looking like well fly Ingenuity no earlier than this Sunday, Jan. 23. The dust storm and its effect on preparation is an essential learning experience for the whole group.
Written by Jonathan Bapst and Michael Mischna (Ingenuity Weather/Environment Team, NASA-JPL).
The atmosphere of Mars is much less thick than Earths; however, the Mars climate shares many resemblances to Earth: seasons, altering winds, ice clouds, and dust storms, among others. In preparing for Flight 19, we found out that unforeseen Mars weather can result in a familiar and unfortunate situation here on Earth: a postponed flight. We are not without assistance from orbital possessions, either– both the Mars Color Imager (MARCI) and Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) offer daily updates on the state of the atmosphere– beneficial for understanding activity outside of Jezero crater that could affect future weather.
As Mars shifts into autumn, we anticipate a boost in the quantity of dust in the atmosphere globally; levels will stay heightened through winter season (this duration of the year is referred to as the “dusty season”). Dust plays a significant role in Mars environment, and its characterization is specifically essential for solar-powered surface area possessions like Ingenuity.
Dust Storm and Jezero Crater: Images got Jan. 9, 2022, from the Mars Color Imager instrument on NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter were combined to develop this view showing the existence of a regional dust storm obscuring the location of Perseverance rover and Ingenuity Mars Helicopter (white circle). Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Flight 19 for NASAs Ingenuity is scheduled to take location no earlier than Sunday, January 23, 2022.
The environment of Mars is much less dense than Earths; nevertheless, the Mars environment shares numerous resemblances to Earth: seasons, changing winds, ice clouds, and dust storms, among others. In preparing for Flight 19, we found out that unanticipated Mars weather condition can result in a regrettable and familiar scenario here on Earth: a postponed flight.
With 18 flights completed to date, weather condition forecasting has actually ended up being an essential piece of Martian flight planning. Because the very first flight on April 19, 2021, Jezero Crater has advanced through spring and into summer.