MiLi Project, Thermo-Mechanical design of a miniaturized LiDAR for Mars advanced atmospheric Research

In this work, die thermo-mechanical design of Mil .1 (Miniaturized LiDAR. for Man Advanced Atmospheric Research) is described- addressing the design challenges posed by the Martian environment. Atmospheric LjDARs could be used to examine atmospheric dust and ice-based clouds 00 Mars, but typically those instruments are heavy and defined by a high-power consumption, therefore less attractive as pay-loads for landers and rovers. The EU- funded MiLi project aims to close this gap. designing a compact, low-power LiDAR that mill pro\ide a precise characterization of the suspended dust and clouds in the Martian atmosphere. Mil 1 proposes to higher the TRL of three basic technologies to enable die construction of die miniaturized LiDAR for the Mars atmosphaic research. i.e. die semiconductor lasers and new Si-PMTs (Silicon Photomultipliers) detectors, free-form optical technology, and low CTE materials. The target mass is 6 kg. and the overall power consumption less than 15W. The instrument should be moreover capable of surviving and operating at very low atmospheric temperatures, to minimis the requirements for its accommodation m any lander'rover The thermo-mechamcal feasibility study encompasses the design requirements, materials selection, and evaluation of different design solutions to ensuie die instrument's performance and survival in these extreme conditions, allowing the definition of the instrument's mechanical ar chitecture Overall design strategy was based on die trade-off between die mass budget and the instrument performance. Validation of the mechanical resistance and thermal design requirements fulfilment was performed by developing finite element models of die main instrument components, designed bv using numerical quasi-static, modal, and thermo-elastic analvses. The major result of the research is the detailed instrument design posing: the basis for the subsequent project phases, i.e. the manufacturing of an instrument mock-up and testing in representanve environmental condition.