9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
[PPS04-P13] Simulating Venus and Other Planetary Environments using the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER)
★Invited Papers
Keywords:Venus, Experiments, Atmosphere, Geology, Circuits, Technology
Introduction: The Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER) located at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH (USA) is an 800 L, stainless steel 304 vessel originally developed to simulate the surface conditions of Venus [1]. Its unique capabilities have enabled numerous research projects including investigations of the chemical cycles near the Venusian surface, and maturing technology necessary for a future lander [2-5]. The facility is accessible to the public, and more information is available in the last paragraph.
GEER Capabilities: The surface of Venus is a challenging environment to reproduce; it is approximately 466°C and 95.6 bars at the mean planetary radius, and is enveloped in an atmosphere of CO2, N2, SO2, H2O, CO, COS, H2S, HCl, and HF [6]. The unique capabilities of GEER have allowed it to maintain simulated Venus conditions, including the gas composition, for up to 80 continuous days. The GEER’s maximum temperature and pressure for Venus simulations are 475°C and 94 bar, and the temperature is maintained by internal heaters which are monitored by three different thermocouples within the chamber. The GEER can also facilitate active test articles and was designed with several feedthroughs ranging from 0.635 cm (1/4”) to 1.905 cm (3/4”) in diameter. Currently, the GEER can be filled using gas from 8 different independent gas streams (CO2, SO2, H2O, CO, COS, H2S, HCl, and HF). The gas composition is frequently monitored via an inline Gas Chromatograph (GC) and co-located Mass Spectrometer (MS) during an experiment. If the gas composition, e.g., SO2, were to fall below the minimum limit as set by test requirements, GEER has the unique capability to boost the gas until it is within nominal range. The operating conditions during the experiment are maintained by the engineering support staff. The support staff are also capable of making custom samples support structures, including sample holders and custom feedthroughs.
Although most experiments have required the replication of Venus conditions, the facility can be modified to simulate other environments and could be used to investigate other planetary bodies. A discussion with the GEER Project Manager (PM) will need to be arranged to discuss the feasibility of the customer’s desired test conditions.
Mini-GEER: A smaller simulation chamber, “mini-GEER”, is also available at the facility. This 4 L, stainless steel 316 vessel is capable of rapid startup and shutdown times, thus allowing for shorter experimental durations on the order of days to weeks. Currently, the mini-GEER is only capable of using a pre-mixed gas cylinder.
Facility Access: Researchers with interest in using the GEER facility are encouraged to contact the GEER Project Manager (PM) in the Glenn Research Center Space Sciences Project Office or requesting services through the GEER website [1]. Any researcher seeking funding can work with the GEER PM to develop a research proposal using the facility. Researchers with non-NASA funding are encouraged to email the PM and a Space Act Agreement (SAA) can be developed. Lastly, there will be future community tests with limited opportunities for researchers to insert their test article into an already sponsored test at no, or minimal, cost to the interested researcher.
[1] https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/geer/ [2] Santos, A. R. et al., (2023), JGR: Planets, Meteorit. Planet Sci., 57, 10 [3] Radoman-Shaw, B. et al., (2022) Meteorit. Planet. Sci., 57, 10, 1796-1819 [4] Lukco, D. et al. (2018). Earth Space Sci., 5, 270–284 [5] Neudeck, P.G. et al. (2016). AIP Adv., 6, 125119 [6] Zolotov, M. Yu. et al., (2018), Rev. Mineral Geochem., 84, 351-392.
GEER Capabilities: The surface of Venus is a challenging environment to reproduce; it is approximately 466°C and 95.6 bars at the mean planetary radius, and is enveloped in an atmosphere of CO2, N2, SO2, H2O, CO, COS, H2S, HCl, and HF [6]. The unique capabilities of GEER have allowed it to maintain simulated Venus conditions, including the gas composition, for up to 80 continuous days. The GEER’s maximum temperature and pressure for Venus simulations are 475°C and 94 bar, and the temperature is maintained by internal heaters which are monitored by three different thermocouples within the chamber. The GEER can also facilitate active test articles and was designed with several feedthroughs ranging from 0.635 cm (1/4”) to 1.905 cm (3/4”) in diameter. Currently, the GEER can be filled using gas from 8 different independent gas streams (CO2, SO2, H2O, CO, COS, H2S, HCl, and HF). The gas composition is frequently monitored via an inline Gas Chromatograph (GC) and co-located Mass Spectrometer (MS) during an experiment. If the gas composition, e.g., SO2, were to fall below the minimum limit as set by test requirements, GEER has the unique capability to boost the gas until it is within nominal range. The operating conditions during the experiment are maintained by the engineering support staff. The support staff are also capable of making custom samples support structures, including sample holders and custom feedthroughs.
Although most experiments have required the replication of Venus conditions, the facility can be modified to simulate other environments and could be used to investigate other planetary bodies. A discussion with the GEER Project Manager (PM) will need to be arranged to discuss the feasibility of the customer’s desired test conditions.
Mini-GEER: A smaller simulation chamber, “mini-GEER”, is also available at the facility. This 4 L, stainless steel 316 vessel is capable of rapid startup and shutdown times, thus allowing for shorter experimental durations on the order of days to weeks. Currently, the mini-GEER is only capable of using a pre-mixed gas cylinder.
Facility Access: Researchers with interest in using the GEER facility are encouraged to contact the GEER Project Manager (PM) in the Glenn Research Center Space Sciences Project Office or requesting services through the GEER website [1]. Any researcher seeking funding can work with the GEER PM to develop a research proposal using the facility. Researchers with non-NASA funding are encouraged to email the PM and a Space Act Agreement (SAA) can be developed. Lastly, there will be future community tests with limited opportunities for researchers to insert their test article into an already sponsored test at no, or minimal, cost to the interested researcher.
[1] https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/geer/ [2] Santos, A. R. et al., (2023), JGR: Planets, Meteorit. Planet Sci., 57, 10 [3] Radoman-Shaw, B. et al., (2022) Meteorit. Planet. Sci., 57, 10, 1796-1819 [4] Lukco, D. et al. (2018). Earth Space Sci., 5, 270–284 [5] Neudeck, P.G. et al. (2016). AIP Adv., 6, 125119 [6] Zolotov, M. Yu. et al., (2018), Rev. Mineral Geochem., 84, 351-392.