Abstract
In the framework of the scientific activities foreseen by the NASA, ASI and INFN agreement for the InSight Mars lander mission (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport), we characterized the optical performance of the LaRRI instrument (Laser RetroReflector for InSight), through two sets of in-air solar-thermo-optical tests carried out at the SCF_Lab (Satellite/lunar/GNSS laser ranging/altimetry and cube/microsat Characterization Facilities Laboratory) of INFN–LNF in Frascati, Italy. The in-air tests consisted of optical and thermal measurements carried out by: (1) varying LaRRI’s bulk temperature (without solar illumination); (2) illuminating LaRRI with a solar spectrum; in both cases, LaRRI was interrogated with a laser at varying incidence angles w.r.t. its surface. This paper describes the tests and their results, which provide a first characterization of LaRRI’s optical and thermal behaviour in approximate Mars surface conditions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
Thermal decoupling is intended to reproduce the installation conditions on an actual host spacecraft, lander, or rover.
Minimum temperature contrast w.r.t. the room temperature needed to perform measurements through the IR camera.
LaRRI on board InSight was in fact supposed to be the second knot of the MGN after INRRI–EDM/2016 on board ExoMars EDM 2016!
References
W.B. Banerdt et al., InSight: A Discovery mission to explore the interior of Mars, in 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2013). Abstract n. 1915
W.B. Banerdt, C.T. Russell, Editorial on: Topical Collection on InSight Mission to Mars. Space Sci. Rev. 211, 1–3 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-017-0414-0
E. Ciocci, M. Martini, S. Contessa et al., Performance analysis of next-generation lunar laser retroreflectors. Adv. Space Res. 60, 1300–1306 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2017.06.005
S. Dell’Agnello, G. Delle Monache, D.G. Currie et al., Creation of the new industry-standard space test of laser retroreflectors for the GNSS and LAGEOS. Adv. Space Res. 47, 822–842 (2011a). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2010.10.022
S. Dell’Agnello, G. Delle Monache, D.G. Currie et al., ETRUSCO-2: an ASI-INFN project of technological development and SCF-Test of GNSS laser retroreflector arrays, in ESA Proceedings of the 3rd International Colloquium—Scientific and Fundamental Aspects of the Galileo Programme, Copenhagen, Denmark (2011b)
S. Dell’Agnello, G. Delle Monache, L. Porcelli et al., INRRI–EDM/2016: the first laser retroreflector on the surface of Mars. Adv. Space Res. 59, 645–655 (2017a). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2016.10.011
S. Dell’Agnello, G. Delle Monache, E. Ciocci et al., LaRRI: Laser Retro-Reflector for InSight Mars Lander. Space Research Today 200, 25–32 (2017b)
C. Eliodoro, La costante solare, in Spigolature astronomiche, ed. by A. D’Ercole. Giornale di Astronomia (2012), p. 2.
W.M. Folkner, V. Dehant, S. Le Maistre et al., The Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment on the InSight Mission to Mars. Space Sci. Rev. 214, 100 (2018)
M. Martini, S. Dell’Agnello, D.G. Currie et al., MoonLIGHT: A USA-Italy lunar laser ranging retroreflector array for the 21st century. Planet. Space Sci. 74, 276–282 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2012.09.006
Petrassi, Laboratory characterization of the optical response of LaRRI (Laser Retroreflector for InSight), Bachelor Thesis, 2017, University of Rome–Tor Vergata, Ingegneria di Internet (written in English, unpublished)
L. Porcelli, A. Boni, E. Ciocci et al., Thermo-optical vacuum testing of IRNSS laser retroreflector array qualification model. Adv. Space Res. 60, 1054–1061 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2017.05.012
A. Spiga, D. Banfield, N.A. Teanby et al., Space Sci. Rev. 214, 109 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-018-0543-0
J.G. Williams, D.H. Boggs, J.T. Ratcliff, Lunar science from lunar laser ranging, in 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, LPSC 2013, Woodlands, Texas, March 18–22 (2013)
Acknowledgements
The SCF_Lab authors would like to thank INFN for supporting an R&D effort on laser microreflectors payloads through the National Scientific Committee n. 5 (2010–2012, experiment MoonLIGHT-ILN) and the realization of INRRI through the National Scientific Committee n. 2 (from 2013, experiment MoonLIGHT-2). This made it possible to deliver INRRI–EDM/2016 in an extremely short time in the summer of 2015 and LaRRI in summer 2017. The INFN authors wish to thank R. Battiston (ASI President) and F. Ferroni (INFN President) for the opportunity to contribute to yet another unprecedented Mars lander mission and to other imminent similar opportunities, like NASA’s Mars 2020 rover mission (Implementing Arrangement already signed by NASA and ASI) and others under discussion.
This article is InSight Contribution Number 54.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The InSight Mission to Mars II
Edited by William B. Banerdt and Christopher T. Russell
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Porcelli, L., Tibuzzi, M., Mondaini, C. et al. Optical-Performance Testing of the Laser RetroReflector for InSight. Space Sci Rev 215, 1 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-018-0569-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-018-0569-3