Fiber Optic Tech Captures OSIRIS-REx Capsule’s Sonic Boom, Offering New Insights
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teh return of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule (SRC) on Sept.24, 2023, provided a unique possibility for scientists to test a new method of recording geophysical signals. The mission, which successfully collected rock and regolith samples from the near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) 101955 Bennu, culminated in the capsule’s dramatic reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. Traveling at hypersonic speeds,the SRC generated a sonic boom,which was captured using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology. This innovative approach, detailed in Seismological Research letters, offers new insights into atmospheric events and potential meteor strikes.
A team led by Dr. Carly M. Donahue from the Earth and Environmental Sciences Division at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), in collaboration with Colorado State University and Silixa LLC, deployed distributed fiber-optic sensing technology to record the SRC reentry. This marked the first reported instance of such a recording. The findings offer new insights into atmospheric events and potential meteor strikes.
OSIRIS-REx mission shortly after touching down in the Utah desert on September 24th, 2023.”>A New Approach to Studying atmospheric reentry
Since the apollo Era, scientists have been studying sample return capsules re-entering Earth’s atmosphere to refine methods for sample-return missions and understand the atmospheric entry of meteoroids and asteroids. Traditionally, these studies have relied on infrasound and seismic sensors. Though, the OSIRIS-REx mission presented a unique advantage: the trajectory and timing of the SRC were known in advance.
Dr. Donahue explained the team’s motivation: DAS systems interrogating an optical fiber are still relatively rare. Knowing ahead of time the precise trajectory gave us the scarce opportunity to situate multiple DAS interrogators near the point of highest heating and capture the sonic boom as it impacted the ground.
Deployment and Data Acquisition
The team rapidly deployed two DAS interrogators and over 12 km (7.45 mi) of surface-draped fiber-optic cables across two sites near eureka, Nevada. This network included six collocated seismometer-infrasound sensor pairs. The deployment strategy was crucial for capturing a thorough profile of the sonic boom.
“Once the team got the hang of rolling out the 4 spools of optical fiber that each weighed over 100 kgs, installing and retrieving the fiber took less time than setting up the six co-located seismic and infrasound stations. Approximately 5 km of the optical fiber was located at the local Eureka airport, along with many other teams deploying sensors such as infrasound, seismic, and GPS. The other 7 km of fiber was located along a remote dirt road in Newark Valley.”
insights from the Sonic Boom
The DAS interrogators recorded an impulsive arrival with an extended coda, mirroring the data from seismometers and infrasound sensors. Unlike conventional sensors that measure sonic booms at a single point,the DAS data revealed how the boom’s wavefront transformed as it interacted with the irregular terrain of the Nevada landscape. This detailed data provides a more nuanced understanding of sonic boom propagation.
The implications of this research extend beyond studying SRC reentries. Dr. Donahue highlighted the potential for predicting meteor and asteroid strikes:
“By having an extremely dense array of sensors, DAS has the possibility of better characterizing the trajectory and size of a meteor. The topology (e.g.,hills) of the ground is known to have an influence on wavefront recorded at the surface of the earth.By having a dense line of sensors that span over the changes in the earth’s elevation, these effects could be better accounted for to produce a more accurate characterization of a meteor’s trajectory.”
looking Ahead: OSIRIS-APEX
Following the accomplished completion of its primary mission, NASA repurposed the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft for a new endeavor.In 2029, the spacecraft, now named OSIRIS-APEX (Apophis Explorer), will rendezvous with the Near-Earth Asteroid 99942 Apophis to collect another sample. This continued exploration underscores the value of sample-return missions in advancing our understanding of the solar system.
Conclusion
The accomplished recording of the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule’s sonic boom using distributed acoustic sensing marks a significant advancement in geophysical monitoring. Led by Dr. Carly M. Donahue and her team, this innovative approach provides valuable insights into atmospheric phenomena and opens new avenues for predicting and characterizing meteor and asteroid impacts. The data collected not only enhances our understanding of sample return missions but also contributes to planetary defense efforts.
Sonic Boom Breakthrough: unlocking the Secrets of Atmospheric Reentry with Fiber Optics
Did you know that the return of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx capsule offered scientists a unique opportunity to revolutionize how we study atmospheric reentry events? It’s true,and it’s all thanks to a groundbreaking new technology.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in geophysical monitoring and planetary defense, welcome to World-Today-News.com.Your recent work utilizing distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) to record the OSIRIS-REx capsule’s sonic boom is astonishing. Can you explain the significance of this breakthrough to our readers?
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The OSIRIS-rex mission provided a perfect testbed for DAS technology, marking a pivotal moment in the field of atmospheric reentry analysis.Traditionally, researchers relied on infrasound and seismic sensors, which provide limited spatial resolution. This new fiber-optic approach offers significantly enhanced precision. By deploying a network of fiber-optic cables, we were able to capture a detailed profile of the sonic boom’s propagation across the landscape, revealing how the wavefront interacts with the terrain.
world-Today-News.com Senior Editor: the use of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is relatively new in this context. Can you describe how this technology differs from conventional methods of detecting and analyzing sonic booms generated by atmospheric reentry events?
Dr. Sharma: That’s a great question. Unlike traditional point sensors like infrasound microphones or seismometers, which only record at a single location, DAS uses optical fibers as distributed sensors. Imagine the fiber as a long, incredibly sensitive microphone stretched across kilometers, recording data along its entire length. This allows us to obtain an unprecedentedly dense spatial sampling of the sonic boom, revealing fine-scale details previously unattainable. This high-resolution data allows for a more complete understanding of the wavefront’s properties as it interacts with the surroundings.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: This advanced technology seems to have implications beyond tracking sample return capsules. What other applications does this technology offer, particularly in the field of planetary defense?
Dr. Sharma: you’re absolutely right. The implications extend far beyond sample return missions.The enhanced data acquired through the use of a DAS allows for a more accurate and detailed characterization of the trajectory and size of meteors and asteroids.The ability to precisely measure the wavefront as it interacts with varying terrains is incredibly significant for characterizing potential hazards. By deploying DAS arrays, we can create thorough maps revealing with greater accuracy the path and severity of impact. this information is vital for refining our predictive models and developing effective planetary defense strategies.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: What were some of the key challenges and breakthroughs involved in utilizing DAS technology for this specific application?
Dr. Sharma: One of the primary challenges was deploying the system rapidly and efficiently. The OSIRIS-rex capsule’s trajectory was known beforehand, which gave us a precious window of opportunity. We had to quickly lay kilometers of fiber-optic cable across diverse terrain. However, the efficiency of the deployment was enhanced by the fact that the DAS deployment, while lengthy, was faster than setting up the traditional array of infrasound and seismometers. Further, developing algorithms capable of interpreting the massive volume of data produced by the DAS network required significant computational power and sophisticated data processing techniques. But this proved invaluable due to the high volume of data which provided better resolution. This high resolution allows us to better assess the intensity and duration of the sonic boom.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: What are the next steps in this research? What further developments or improvements do you foresee in the use of DAS technology for studying atmospheric reentry events?
Dr. Sharma: The immediate next step is to analyze the unprecedented volume of data gathered during this extraordinary experiment. We look forward to refining our data processing and analysis methods for even greater precision. The potential for advancement is immense. We’re also exploring the integration of DAS with other sensor technologies to enhance our observational capabilities further. we are looking into the use of airborne DAS systems, which would allow for the monitoring of atmospheric reentry events over significantly larger areas, improving our overall understanding of atmospheric phenomenon and improving planetary defense.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor: Dr.sharma, thank you for sharing these insightful observations with us. This discussion adds another layer to our understanding of planetary defense strategies and the role of revolutionary technologies in such critical matters.
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for the opportunity. It has been rewarding to share with you this fascinating research. I am looking forward to seeing more advanced capabilities in deploying this new technology.
Key Takeaways:
Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) offers significantly improved spatial resolution compared to traditional methods.
DAS provides unprecedented detail on sonic boom propagation and interaction with the terrain.
This technology has significant implications for planetary defense, allowing for more accurate prediction and characterization of meteor and asteroid impacts.
Future development in DAS technology includes airborne deployment and data processing to improve analysis.
We encourage you to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. What are your thoughts on the future of atmospheric reentry analysis? Let’s start a discussion!