Miniature Hydrate Sensor HYDRA

1
Miniature Hydrate Sensor (HYDRA)
Sensor Module
Data Module

• Description
• Small, lightweight neutron spectrometer (481 g
  total)
• Detects hydrogenous materials
• Water ice
• Rocks bearing hydrate minerals
• Near-subsurface water/hydrates

Funding Profile (K)
Team Members Rick Elphic PI David
Lawrence Co-I Tom Prettyman Co-I Roger
Wiens Collaborator Bill Feldman Collaborator San
gkoo Hahn Lead Engineer Jake Archuleta Mechanical
Engineering
FY03-FY05 Critical Milestones FY03 - Trade
studies detailed initial design FY04 - Assemble
field test prototypes v.1, v.2 FY05 - Assemble
field test engineering model v.3
2
FY04 Milestones

• HYDRA field testing site preparation COMPLETED
  in Oct. 2003
• Field test 1 with lab electronics confirms
  calculations
• HYDRA prototype v.1 fab/assy/test COMPLETED
• Benchtop end-to-end testing completed May, 2004.
• HYDRA prototype v.1 initial field testing
  COMPLETED
• Field test 2 dem/val, end-to-end testing in
  field, June, 2004
• Field test 3 dem/val of science data utility,
  July 2004
• Experiment 1 Approach/contact with rock,
  concrete, polyethylene
• Experiment 2 Traverse over buried polyethylene
  slabs
• HYDRA redesign v.2 prototype COMPLETED July,
  2004
• Smaller, lighter weight
• HYDRA v.2 prototype fab/assy/test IN PROGRESS

3
Technical Accomplishments

• HYDRA Prototype v.1 accomplishments
• Sensor module-data module-laptop(GSE) end-to-end
  test
• Field test 2 demonstration/validation of
  integrated instrument
• Revealed GSE (laptop) Labview software problem
• Field test 3 dem/val of science data utility
• Experiment 1 Approach/contact with rock,
  concrete, polyethylene
• Experiment 2 Traverse over buried polyethylene
  slabs
• HYDRA Prototype v.2 accomplishments
• Sensor module and data module re-designed
  (smaller Mg housing)
• V.2 data module fabricated/assembled
• V.2 sensor module in fabrication

Data Module v.1
4
Significant Events

• HYDRA field testing site preparation
• Permits controlled experiments.
• Buried polyethylene sheets mimic water ice.
• Radio-controlled mini-rover carries HYDRA across
  these features
• Array of burial sites permits study of depth and
  sheet thickness.
• Tests relevant to MSL application of HYDRA
• Comparison of
• Monte Carlo cal-
• culations and data

5
Significant Events

• First end-to-end test of HYDRA prototype Version
  1.
• Sensor-to-data module cable harness
• Data module-to-laptop interface
• Laptop display software working
• Importance demonstrates HYDRA functionality
• Necessary milestone in development for any
  spaceflight application
• LabView instrument control and data acquisition
  software
• Instrument cmd/mode control
• Time series of singles
• Pulse height distribution
• State of Health

6
Significant Events

• Successful Field Test of HYDRA Prototype Version
  1. (Part 1)
• Sensor data modules on rover
• Cable harness to laptop
• Battery power supplied to HYDRA
• Importance demonstrates HYDRA contact science
  utility
• Background due to 2-4 wt H2O.
• Huge effect due to 21 wt H2O

HYDRA approaching rock
source
Gypsum
Sensor module
Data module
HYDRA contacting rock
with rock
source
without rock
7
Significant Events

• Successful Field Test of HYDRA Prototype Version
  1. Part 2
• Traverse across buried poly
• Importance demonstrates HYDRA
  traverse/subsurface science utility
• Neutron source mimics MSL RTG
• Big effect due to buried H2O
• Figure shows traverse over three buried slabs, of
  different thickness
• Also shows effects of 2-4 wt soil moisture
  content variations

Data module
Sensor module
source
8
Plans for Next Quarter

• Finish prototype v.2 fab/assy and lab end-to-end
  testing
• Carry out field testing
• Quantitative approach/contact science utility -
  models vs. data
• Compare traverse data to simulations.
• Lessons learned v.1 and v.2 prototypes and
  redesign for v.3

9
Financial Status Cost
10
Financial Summary

• On track to complete 3 models, v.3 engineering
  model
• Current burn rate a little higher than FY04
  allocation/12 months
• April 2003 start, late funding, carried over FY03
  funds
• FY04 development playing catch-up because of
  late funding in FY03.

11
Action Items/Issues/Concerns

• Issue - how to work a field test with Fido or
  K-9?
• Requires neutron source