Ames Research Center
Ames Research Center
ARC Planetary Aeolian Laboratory (PAL)
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141,000 ft3 chamber
- ~100 feet high
- ~23 feet diameter
- Normal operating ambient pressure is 0.08 psia (Mars atmosphere)
- Vacuum operated by a 5-stage steam ejector system supplied for Arc-Jet Testing
- Can pump down to normal operating pressure within 45 minutes
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PAL houses the Mars Wind Tunnel (MARSWIT) and Titan Wind Tunnel (TWT)
- MARSWIT – maximum wind speeds of 120 m/s and 33 m/s depending on the method used at Mars back pressure
- Has studied Mars dust lifting effects and Mars dust devils and used to understand the performance of the Mars Helicopter
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Able to conduct soil tests within this chamber
- KSC developing soil bin for PSI Project
- 175 psi GAir line
- Test Director POC: Dr. David Williams (Arizona State University)
- Test Lead POC: James Ken Smith (ASU/ARC)
ARC Planetary Aeolian Laboratory
ARC SSERVI Regolith Test Bin
- 4m x 4m x 0.5m test bed
- Filled with 8 tons of JSC-1A regolith simulant
- Ambient
- POC: Joe Minafra
ARC SSERVI Regolith Test Bin