1. Instrument Adron-RM for ExoMars 2018
Igor Mitrofanov, Adron-RM PI
Sergey Nikiforov, Adron-RM Instrument manager
Space Research Institute (IKI)
ExoMars Science Working Team #7
ALTEC, Torino, 9 – 10 December 2014

2. The main scientific objectives of the 2018 ExoMars mission are:
The 2018 mission of the ExoMars program will deliver a European rover and a Russian surface platform to the surface of Mars. The ExoMars rover will travel across the Martian surface to search for signs of life. It will collect samples with a drill and analyze them with instruments.
The main scientific objectives of the 2018 ExoMars mission are:
To search for signs of past and present life
Investigate the geologic, geochemical, and volatile environment as a function of depth in the shallow subsurface
The main scientific objectives of Adron-RM are:
To investigate the bulk hydrogen content of the upper ~1 m of the subsurface
To Monitor radioactive environment of Rover’s vicinity
Monitoring of Solar flares
ExoMars Science Working Team #7, 9 – 10 December 2014

3. DAN/MSL: Prototype of the Adron-RM
DAN/PNG
DAN/DE
Thermal/Epithermal neutrons
(Active mode)
(Passive mode)
Neutron variations in the floor
of Gale crater
Covered Distance, m
ExoMars Science Working Team #7, 9 – 10 December 2014

4. DAN/MSL: Prototype of the Adron-RM How Adron-RM can help ExoMars
Average counting rate
Points of Interest

5. Adron-RM & WISDOM observations
WISDOM is a ground-penetrating radar. By studying reflections it is possible to identify underground targets down to m depth.
Also it’s planning that WISDOM will work in synergy with Adron-RM. The last is able to detect neutrons with penetration depths up to 1 m. 0m 1m 2m 3m
WISDOM & Adron-RM experimentation on ExoMars
ExoMars Science Working Team #7, 9 – 10 December 2014

6. STM Mech. equipment + stand-offs
Adron-RM: Schedule
09/14
12/14
01/15
02/15
03/15
04/15
STM Hardware
SWIS Layer 1 delivery
STM Mech. equipment + stand-offs
STM
Mech. & Temp. tests
SWIS Layer 2 delivery
STM delivery
Will be used as Lab Model
EIS: September 2015
EQM: April 2016
FM: May 2016
PPRM: February 2016 (STM will be used)
FS: will be delivered by request
ExoMars Science Working Team #7, 9 – 10 December 2014

7. STM

8. Adron-RM specification
Detector unit
Components
Functions
CTEN
He3 counter +
Mechanical frame
Detection of thermal
and epithermal
neutrons (0.01 – 100 eV)
CEN
Mechanical frame + Cd shield
Detection of
epithermal neutrons (0.4 – 100 eV)
The instrument contains two detectors based on 3He proportional counters. One of the detectors has the cadmium shield which absorbs neutrons below the energy of 0.4 eV.
front
rear
ExoMars Science Working Team #7, 9 – 10 December 2014

9. Preliminary Surface operation plans:
Adron-RM Data budget
Preliminary data budget:
Fast Passive:
about 400 Kbyte for one neutron generator measurement
Passive monitoring:
about 50 Kbyte / per hour
Standby:
about 20 Kbyte / per hour
Type
Volume of frame
Standby frame
Estimated 90 byte
Passive frame
Estimated 154 byte
Fast passive frame
Estimated 1 Kbyte
Preliminary Surface operation plans:
First Sols (1-10): Only Passive monitoring. Maximum data per Sol – 0,1 Mbyte;
Sols (10-20): Fast Passive measurements and Passive monitoring. Maximum data per Sol – 1 Mbyte;
Sols (20-…): Passive monitoring as much as possible. Maximum data per Sol – 0,8 Mbyte;
ExoMars Science Working Team #6, 4 – 6 February 2014

10. Thermal neutrons Adron observations Neutron pulse
Russian Landing Platform
(picture of the concept)
ADRON Neutron generator + Gamma-Ray and Neutron detectors
ExoMars rover
Distance between instruments:
up to 10 m
Adron-RM Neutron Detector
Neutron pulse
Thermal neutrons

11. Adron-RM: Calibration facilities
Joint Institute For Nuclear Research, Dubna
Calibration facilities in Dubna were used for the DAN instrument calibrations. This facilities allow to vary distribution of hydrogen under the instrument.
Another point, that there will be performed calibrations with neutron generator. This is important to calibrate simultaneous work between instruments on the Rover and on the Russian Landing Platform.
ExoMars Science Working Team #7, 9 – 10 December 2014

12. Adron-RM: Calibration facilities
Melnikov Permafrost Institute, Yakutsk
Founded in 1960, the Permafrost Institute, a member institution of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, is dedicated to basic and applied investigations in two broad areas:
permafrost evolution in relation to natural and anthropogenic factors; and
thermal and mechanical interactions between engineering structures and permafrost.
The institute has a number of calibration facilities with well-known ice distributions. Which can be used to imitate the Martian subsurface.
ExoMars Science Working Team #7, 9 – 10 December 2014