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{{Short description|Mars rover-bound radar imager}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox spacecraft instrument
{{Infobox spacecraft instrument
| Name = RIMFAX
| Name = RIMFAX
| Image = PIA24204-MarsPerseveranceRover-RIMFAX-Parts-20210120.jpg
| Image =
| Caption =
| Caption = RIMFAX radar imager
| upright = 1.2


| Operator = [[NASA]]
| Operator = [[NASA]]
| Manufacturer = [[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]]
| Manufacturer = [[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]]
| Type = Ground-penetrating rdar
| Type = Ground-penetrating radar
| Function = Study subsurface structure
| Function = Study subsurface structure
| Mission_Duration =
⚫
| Began = <!--date operations began (single instruments only)-->
⚫
| Ceased = <!--date operations ceased (single instruments only)-->
⚫
| Webpage =


| mission_duration =
⚫
| Mass = 3 kg (6.6 lb)
⚫
| Began = <!--date operations began (single instruments only)-->
⚫
| Dimensions = 19.6 × 12.0 × 0.66 cm
⚫
| Ceased = <!--date operations ceased (single instruments only)-->
| Number = <!--number launched-->
⚫
| Webpage =

⚫
| Mass = 3 kg (6.6 lb)
⚫
| Dimensions = 19.6 × 12.0 × 0.66 cm
| Power_consumption = Max: 10 [[watt]]s
| Power_consumption = Max: 10 [[watt]]s
| Resolution = 15 cm to 30 cm <br/>(3" to 12")
| Resolution = 15 cm to 30 cm<br/>(3" to 12")
| Data_Rate =
| Data_Rate =


| Spacecraft = [[Mars 2020 rover]] <!--spacecraft it is hosted aboard-->
| Spacecraft = [[Perseverance (rover)|''Perseverance'']]
| SC_Operator = <!--operator of those spacecraft-->
| SC_Operator = [[NASA]]
| Launch = July 2020 (planned) <!--Launch date (single instruments only)-->
| Launch = 30 July 2020, 11:50:00 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]
| Rocket = Atlas V 541
| Rocket = [[Atlas V]]
| Launch_Site = Cape Canaveral SLC-41
| Launch_Site = [[Cape Canaveral Space Force Station|Cape Canaveral]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]]
| COSPAR = <!--COSPAR ID of host spacecraft-->
| COSPAR = 2020-052A
}}
}}
⚫
The '''Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment''' ('''RIMFAX''') is a [[ground-penetrating radar]] on the planned [[Mars 2020 Rover]]. It uses radar waves to see geologic features under the surface.


⚫
The '''Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment''' ('''RIMFAX''') is a [[ground-penetrating radar]] on [[NASA]]'s [[Perseverance (rover)|''Perseverance'' rover]], part of the [[Mars 2020]] mission. It uses radar waves to see geologic features under the surface.
The device can make detections perhaps dozens of meters/yards underneath ground, such as for buried sand dunes or lava feature.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/mars-2020-rover-s-rimfax-radar-will-see-deep-underground-1.2739698|title=Next Mars rover will use 'X-ray vision' to spot buried treasure|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-01-24|language=en}}</ref> During development a detection range of about 10 yards/meters was targeted, and tests on glacier were succesfull.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hamran|first=S. E.|last2=Berger|first2=T.|last3=Brovoll|first3=S.|last4=Damsgård|first4=L.|last5=Helleren|first5=Ø|last6=Øyan|first6=M. J.|last7=Amundsen|first7=H. E.|last8=Carter|first8=L.|last9=Ghent|first9=R.|date=July 2015|title=RIMFAX: A GPR for the Mars 2020 rover mission|url=http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7292690/?reload=true|journal=2015 8th International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (IWAGPR)|pages=1–4|doi=10.1109/IWAGPR.2015.7292690}}</ref>


The device can make detections dozens of meters/yards underneath ground, such as for buried sand dunes or lava feature.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/mars-2020-rover-s-rimfax-radar-will-see-deep-underground-1.2739698|title=Next Mars rover will use 'X-ray vision' to spot buried treasure|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-01-24}}</ref>
RIMFAX takes its name from [[Hrímfaxi]], the horse in [[Norse mythology]] that "faithfully brings the night."<ref name="RIMFAX specs">{{cite web |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/instruments/rimfax/ |title=Mars 2020 Rover - RIMFAX |work=NASA |date=2017 |accessdate=2017-10-22 }}</ref>


The radar will operate at radio frequencies of 150-1200 MHz and will use a Bow-Tie [[Slot antenna]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7292690/?reload=true|title=RIMFAX: A GPR for the Mars 2020 rover mission - IEEE Conference Publication|website=ieeexplore.ieee.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-01-24}}</ref>
RIMFAX takes its name from [[Skinfaxi and Hrímfaxi|Hrímfaxi]], the horse in [[Norse mythology]] that "faithfully brings the night."<ref name="RIMFAX specs">{{cite web |url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/instruments/rimfax/|title=Mars 2020 Rover - RIMFAX|publisher=NASA|date=2017|access-date=2017-10-22}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>


The radar operates at radio frequencies of 150–1200 MHz and uses a Bow-Tie [[Slot antenna]].<ref name="A GPR" />
⚫
==Overview==


⚫
== Overview ==
RIMFAX is a [[ground-penetrating radar]], its antenna is located on the lower rear of the Mars 2020 Rover. It will be able to image different ground densities, structural layers, buried rocks, [[Meteorite|meteorites]], and detect [[Water on Mars#Ground ice|underground water ice]] and salty [[brine]] at {{convert|10|m|ft}} depth.
RIMFAX is a [[ground-penetrating radar]], its antenna is located on the lower rear of the ''Perseverance'' rover. It is able to image different ground densities, structural layers, buried rocks, [[meteorite]]s, and detect [[Water on Mars#Ground ice|underground water ice]] and salty [[brine]] at {{cvt|10|m}} depth.


Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) send radio frequency [[electromagnetic waves]] into the ground and then detect the reflected signals as a function of time to reveal subsurface structure as well as composition. RIMFAX is based on a number of GPR instruments developed at the [[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]] (FFI).<ref name="RIMFAX Norway">{{cite web |url=http://www.ffi.no/en/research-projects/rimfax/ |title=RIMFAX - ground penetrating radar |work=Norwegian Defence Research Establishment |date=2017 |accessdate=2017-10-22 }}</ref> RIMFAX was selected by NASA to be one of the instruments on the Mars 2020 rover in July 2014. RIMFAX will provide the science team with the capability to assess the shallow layers and their stratigraphic relationship to nearby outcrops, and thus a window into the geological history and associated environmental history.<ref name="RIMFAX Norway"/>
Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) send radio frequency [[electromagnetic waves]] into the ground and then detect the reflected signals as a function of time to reveal subsurface structure as well as composition. RIMFAX is based on a number of GPR instruments developed at the [[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]] (FFI).<ref name="RIMFAX Norway">{{cite web|url=https://www.ffi.no/en/news/rimfax-ground-penetrating-radar|title=RIMFAX - ground penetrating radar|publisher=Norwegian Defence Research Establishment|date=2015-08-14|access-date=2020-12-17}}</ref> RIMFAX was selected by NASA to be one of the instruments on the Mars 2020 rover in July 2014. RIMFAX provides the science team with the capability to assess the shallow layers and their stratigraphic relationship to nearby outcrops, and thus a window into the geological history and associated environmental history.<ref name="RIMFAX Norway"/>


The RIMFAX instrument is being developed and build by FFI and it will be delivered to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for integration with the rover in December 2018. The RIMFAX operations center will be located at the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA), and the RIMFAX data will be archived by NASA's [[Planetary Data System]]. The RIMFAX Principal Investigator is Svein-Erik Hamran of FFI, and his team includes scientists from Norway, Canada and the United States.<ref>[http://www.ffi.no/en/research-projects/rimfax/Sider/Team.aspx RIMFAX: Science team]. Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), 2017.</ref>
The RIMFAX instrument was developed and built by FFI, and it was delivered to NASA's [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] for integration with the rover in December 2018. Due to Mars's 24.5 hour long day, RIMFAX operations are shared between centers at [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) and the [[University of Oslo]] (UiO), swapping every two weeks.<ref>{{Cite interview |last=Paige |first=David |interviewer=Stuart Wolpert |title=Q&A: David Paige on the Feb. 18 Mars Perseverance landing |url=https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/qa-david-paige-feb-18-mars-perseverance-landing |date=February 18, 2021 |quote=Since the rover will be working on Mars time, in which the days are 24.5 hours long, responsibility for the operation of RIMFAX will pingpong between Norway and UCLA every two weeks.}}</ref> The RIMFAX data is archived by NASA's [[Planetary Data System]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PDS Data Release Calendar 2021 |url=https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/data-release-calendar.shtml |quote=Anticipated Release Date - 08/20/2021}}<br>{{Cite web |title=Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover |url=https://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mars2020/index.htm |quote=The first release of PDS data will be on August 20, 2021.}}</ref> The RIMFAX principal investigator is [[Svein-Erik Hamran]] of FFI, and his team includes scientists from [[Norway]], [[Canada]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |date= 19 September 2014 |title=RIMFAX science team |url=http://www.ffi.no/en/research-projects/rimfax/Sider/Team.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425061244/https://www.ffi.no/en/research-projects/rimfax/Sider/Team.aspx |archive-date=25 April 2019 |access-date=28 March 2021 |website=[[Norwegian Defence Research Establishment]]}}</ref>


==Specifications==
== Specifications ==
⚫
RIMFAX employs a gated [[Continuous-wave radar|Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave]] (FMCW) waveform to probe the subsurface. Gated FMCW utilizes a single antenna for both transmission and reception, quickly switching the antenna between the transmitter and the receiver. RIMFAX is commanded to acquire radar soundings every 10–20&nbsp;cm along the rover's path to create two-dimensional GPR images of subsurface structure.


[[File:PIA24206-MarsPerseveranceRover-RIMFAX-20210120.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|<div align="center">RIMFAX – Bow-Tie [[Slot antenna]]</div>]]
⚫
RIMFAX employs a [[Continuous-wave radar|Gated Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave]] (FMCW) waveform to probe the subsurface. RIMFAX will be commanded to acquire radar soundings every 10–20&nbsp;cm along the rover's path to create two-dimensional GPR images of subsurface structure.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
Line 51: Line 56:
! Specifications !! Units/performance<ref name="RIMFAX specs"/><ref name="RIMFAX Norway"/>
! Specifications !! Units/performance<ref name="RIMFAX specs"/><ref name="RIMFAX Norway"/>
|-
|-
| Mass || {{convert|3|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| Mass || {{cvt|3|kg}}
|-
|-
| Power|| 5 to 10 [[watt]]s
| Power|| 5 to 10 [[watt]]s
|-
|-
| Dimensions || 19.6 × 12.0 × 0.66&nbsp;cm <br/>(7.0" × 4.7" × 2.4")
| Dimensions || 19.6 × 12.0 × 0.66 cm<br/>(7.0" × 4.7" × 2.4")
|-
|-
| Data return || 5 to 10 [[Byte|kbytes]] per sounding location
| Data return || 5 to 10 [[Byte|kbytes]] per sounding location
Line 61: Line 66:
| Frequency range || 150 to 1200 [[Hertz|MHz]]
| Frequency range || 150 to 1200 [[Hertz|MHz]]
|-
|-
| Vertical resolution || 15&nbsp;cm to 30&nbsp;cm <br/>(3" to 12")
| Vertical resolution || 15 cm to 30 cm<br/>(6" to 12")
|-
|-
| Penetration depth || ≥{{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Penetration depth || ≤{{cvt|10|m}}
|-
|-
| Measurement<br/>interval || Every {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}}
| Measurement<br/>interval || Every {{cvt|10|cm}}
|}
|}


==Contemporaries==
== Development ==
An engineering model of RIMFAX was tested in several locations, primarily in [[Svalbard]], and in the [[Southwestern United States|US Southwest]]. Modelling was carried out with [[gprMax]], an [[open source]] [[Computational electromagnetics|electromagnetic simulation]] tool, to assess the imaging potential at the landing site.<ref>{{Cite Q|Q105715907}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Q|Q64455906}}</ref> During development a detection range of about 10 yards/meters was targeted, and tests on glaciers were successful.<ref name="A GPR">{{cite book|last1=Hamran|first1=S. E.|last2=Berger|first2=T.|last3=Brovoll|first3=S.|last4=Damsgård|first4=L.|last5=Helleren |first5=Ø. |last6=Øyan|first6=M. J.|last7=Amundsen|first7=H. E.|last8=Carter|first8=L.|last9=Ghent|first9=R.|title=2015 8th International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (IWAGPR) |chapter=RIMFAX: A GPR for the Mars 2020 rover mission |date=July 2015|pages=1–4|doi=10.1109/IWAGPR.2015.7292690|isbn=978-1-4799-6495-6|s2cid=11358518 }}</ref>
⚫
Other Mars radar experiments include SHARAD, MARSIS, and WISDOM.<reF>[https://ssed.gsfc.nasa.gov/IPM/PDF/1034.pdf]</reF>

== Contemporaries ==
⚫
Other Mars radar experiments include [[SHARAD]], [[MARSIS]], and [[WISDOM (radar)|WISDOM]].<ref>{{Cite Q|Q105725095}}</ref>


== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
⚫
* [[Space-based radar]]
{{Clear}}


==See also==
== External links ==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes|d=yes}}
⚫
*[[Space-based radar]]
{{Scholia}}
* NASA [https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/spacecraft/instruments/rimfax/ project homepage]
* FFI [https://www.ffi.no/en/research/rimfax--a-ground-penetrating-radar-heading-to-mars project homepage]
* [https://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/mars2020/rimfax.htm RIMFAX data] on the Planetary Data System
* [https://www.gprmax.com gprMAX] Electromagnetic simulation software
{{Clear}}


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


{{Mars 2020}}
{{Mars 2020}}
{{Mars}}
{{Mars}}
{{Satellite and spacecraft instruments}}
{{Satellite and spacecraft instruments}}
{{portal bar|Astrobiology|Mars}}
{{Portal bar|Astronomy|Biology|Solar System}}


[[Category:Mars 2020 instruments]]
[[Category:Mars 2020 instruments]]
[[Category:Geophysical imaging]]
[[Category:Space radars]]

Latest revision as of 08:58, 14 August 2024

RIMFAX
RIMFAX radar imager
OperatorNASA
ManufacturerNorwegian Defence Research Establishment
Instrument typeGround-penetrating radar
FunctionStudy subsurface structure
Properties
Mass3 kg (6.6 lb)
Dimensions19.6 × 12.0 × 0.66 cm
Power consumptionMax: 10 watts
Resolution15 cm to 30 cm
(3" to 12")
Host spacecraft
SpacecraftPerseverance
OperatorNASA
Launch date30 July 2020, 11:50:00 UTC
RocketAtlas V
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-41
COSPAR ID2020-052A

The Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment (RIMFAX) is a ground-penetrating radar on NASA's Perseverance rover, part of the Mars 2020 mission. It uses radar waves to see geologic features under the surface.

The device can make detections dozens of meters/yards underneath ground, such as for buried sand dunes or lava feature.[1]

RIMFAX takes its name from Hrímfaxi, the horse in Norse mythology that "faithfully brings the night."[2]

The radar operates at radio frequencies of 150–1200 MHz and uses a Bow-Tie Slot antenna.[3]

Overview

[edit]

RIMFAX is a ground-penetrating radar, its antenna is located on the lower rear of the Perseverance rover. It is able to image different ground densities, structural layers, buried rocks, meteorites, and detect underground water ice and salty brine at 10 m (33 ft) depth.

Ground-penetrating radars (GPR) send radio frequency electromagnetic waves into the ground and then detect the reflected signals as a function of time to reveal subsurface structure as well as composition. RIMFAX is based on a number of GPR instruments developed at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).[4] RIMFAX was selected by NASA to be one of the instruments on the Mars 2020 rover in July 2014. RIMFAX provides the science team with the capability to assess the shallow layers and their stratigraphic relationship to nearby outcrops, and thus a window into the geological history and associated environmental history.[4]

The RIMFAX instrument was developed and built by FFI, and it was delivered to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for integration with the rover in December 2018. Due to Mars's 24.5 hour long day, RIMFAX operations are shared between centers at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Oslo (UiO), swapping every two weeks.[5] The RIMFAX data is archived by NASA's Planetary Data System.[6] The RIMFAX principal investigator is Svein-Erik Hamran of FFI, and his team includes scientists from Norway, Canada and the United States.[7]

Specifications

[edit]

RIMFAX employs a gated Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) waveform to probe the subsurface. Gated FMCW utilizes a single antenna for both transmission and reception, quickly switching the antenna between the transmitter and the receiver. RIMFAX is commanded to acquire radar soundings every 10–20 cm along the rover's path to create two-dimensional GPR images of subsurface structure.

RIMFAX – Bow-Tie Slot antenna
Specifications Units/performance[2][4]
Mass 3 kg (6.6 lb)
Power 5 to 10 watts
Dimensions 19.6 × 12.0 × 0.66 cm
(7.0" × 4.7" × 2.4")
Data return 5 to 10 kbytes per sounding location
Frequency range 150 to 1200 MHz
Vertical resolution 15 cm to 30 cm
(6" to 12")
Penetration depth ≤10 m (33 ft)
Measurement
interval		 Every 10 cm (3.9 in)

Development

[edit]

An engineering model of RIMFAX was tested in several locations, primarily in Svalbard, and in the US Southwest. Modelling was carried out with gprMax, an open source electromagnetic simulation tool, to assess the imaging potential at the landing site.[8][9] During development a detection range of about 10 yards/meters was targeted, and tests on glaciers were successful.[3]

Contemporaries

[edit]

Other Mars radar experiments include SHARAD, MARSIS, and WISDOM.[10]

See also

[edit]
[edit]
Scholia has a profile for RIMFAX (Q42317746).

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Next Mars rover will use 'X-ray vision' to spot buried treasure". CBC News. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Mars 2020 Rover - RIMFAX". NASA. 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b Hamran, S. E.; Berger, T.; Brovoll, S.; Damsgård, L.; Helleren, Ø.; Øyan, M. J.; Amundsen, H. E.; Carter, L.; Ghent, R. (July 2015). "RIMFAX: A GPR for the Mars 2020 rover mission". 2015 8th International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (IWAGPR). pp. 1–4. doi:10.1109/IWAGPR.2015.7292690. ISBN 978-1-4799-6495-6. S2CID 11358518.
  4. ^ a b c "RIMFAX - ground penetrating radar". Norwegian Defence Research Establishment. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  5. ^ Paige, David (18 February 2021). "Q&A: David Paige on the Feb. 18 Mars Perseverance landing" (Interview). Interviewed by Stuart Wolpert. Since the rover will be working on Mars time, in which the days are 24.5 hours long, responsibility for the operation of RIMFAX will pingpong between Norway and UCLA every two weeks.
  6. ^ "PDS Data Release Calendar 2021". Anticipated Release Date - 08/20/2021
    "Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover". The first release of PDS data will be on August 20, 2021.
  7. ^ "RIMFAX science team". Norwegian Defence Research Establishment. 19 September 2014. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  8. ^ Svein-Erik Hamran; David A. Paige; Hans E.F. Amundsen; et al. (3 November 2020). "Radar Imager for Mars' Subsurface Experiment—RIMFAX" (PDF). Space Science Reviews. 216 (8). 128. Bibcode:2020SSRv..216..128H. doi:10.1007/S11214-020-00740-4. ISSN 0038-6308. Wikidata Q105715907.
  9. ^ Craig Warren; Antonios Giannopoulos; Iraklis Giannakis (December 2016). "gprMax: Open source software to simulate electromagnetic wave propagation for Ground Penetrating Radar". Computer Physics Communications. 209: 163–170. doi:10.1016/J.CPC.2016.08.020. ISSN 0010-4655. Wikidata Q64455906.
  10. ^ Svein-Erik Hamran; Hans E.F. Amundsen; Lynn Carter; Rebecca Ghent; Jack Kohler; Michael Mellon; David Paige (2014). "THE GROUND PENETRATING RADAR RIMFAX ON THE MARS 2020 MISSION" (PDF). Proceedings of the International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions. S2CID 4975188. Wikidata Q105725095. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2021.
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