CFD analysis and optimization of the sensor “MicroMED” for the ExoMars 2020 mission

Abstract Characterization of dust is a key aspect in recent space missions to Mars. Dust has a huge influence on the planet’s global climate and it is always present in its atmosphere. MicroMED is an optical particle counter that will be part of the “Dust Complex” suite led by IKI in the ExoMars 2020 mission and it will determine size distribution and concentration of mineral grains suspended in martian atmosphere. A Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis was performed aimed at the optimization of the instrument’s sampling efficiency in the 0.4-20 µm diameter range of the dust particles. The analysis allowed to understand which conditions are optimum for operations on Mars and to consequently optimize the instrument’s fluid dynamic design.