Mars Pathfinder & Exploration Rover (MER)
Mars Pathfinder & Mars Exploration Rover Airbags
ILC designed and manufactured the Mars Pathfinder (MPF) and Mars Exploration Rover (MER) airbag systems in conjunction with NASA and JPL. This was one of the first aerospace applications of Vectran as a structural reinforcement. MPF was successful in landing the rover Sojourner on target in rocky terrain. After some modifications to account for increases payload mass, the system was employed successfully on MER to land the rovers Spirit & Opportunity on the surface of Mars to facilitate scientific discovery.
System Details
| Subsystem Mass | MPF 99 kg | MER 126 kg |
| Lander Mass | MPF 290 kg | MER 440 kg |
| Inflation | MER and MPF 6.9 kPa in < 1.5 sec | |
| Impact Conditions | 20 m/s velocity (vertical & horizontal) -40°C, 650 Pa ambient | |
| Deceleration | MPF: 50 g max, all 3 axis (19 g recorded on Mars) | MER: 40g max, all 3 axis |
| Gas Purge/Retraction | Complete in 90 min (72 min recorded on Mars) | |
| Material | Silicone-coated Vectran fabric restraint | Multple Vectran ripstop fabric layers for abrasion protection |
|
Pathfinder lander/airbags and |
Pathfinder Missions Profile |
|
MER Airbag Inflation Test |
Pathfinder Flight Airbag Assembly At |
MER Airbag Assemblies on the Surface of Mars January 2004 |
|
Newsletter Signup
