The Thermal Control Concept of the Mars Netlander Surface Module

The Netlander mission aims to deploying on the surface of Mars a network of 4 landers, which will perform simultaneously measurements in order to study the internal structure of Mars, its sub-surface and its atmosphere.

This paper describes the phase B thermal control concept of the Netlander Surface Module, taking into account various thermal environments from the cruise to Mars phase until the landing and the one Martian year phase on the Mars surface. The paper focuses on two specific thermal tests. The first one is a thermal conductivity measurement of three pre-selected insulation materials in a 6 - 10 hPa CO₂ environment, and the second one is a performance test of a Loop Heat Pipe designed to comply the Netlander Surface Module needs.

This paper is mainly derived from the report referenced ref. 1.