Windspeed Sensor for Planetary Science Applications

In-situ instrumentation is needed that can withstand the harsh environments imposed by planetary atmospheres in order to make advancements in solar system exploration. Technologies that can withstand the corrosive/caustic gases, radiation levels, stresses, and high temperatures and pressures, while still producing reliable, real-time data are a major facilitator for planetary missions. To address this need, Sporian is developing a harsh environment wind speed and direction sensor targeted toward future Venus probe spacecraft. The proposed technology will be beneficial to NASArsquo;s planetary science mission by facilitating environmental chamber testing amp; validation, and wind speed and direction measurements in the Venus atmosphere and on the surface.nbsp;nbsp; The Phase I effort focused on heavily leveraging prior harsh environment, in-situ instrumentation development and, with input from current/prior NASA partners, to construct, test, and characterize prototype sensor suites, which was successfully completed demonstrating technology feasibility. Phase II efforts will include: continuing to work with stakeholders to guide technology development; developing processes and design required to realize next generation sensors; multiple generations of prototyping; and application environment relevant testing.