Transport properties of high-temperature Mars-atmosphere components

Transport properties of high-temperature Mars-atmosphere are presented, which are relevant to hypersonic entry into Mars atmosphere in a sufficiently enlarged temperature range. Thermal conductivity, diffusion, and thermal diffusion coefficients and viscosities of single components have been calculated and used to estimate the gas-mixture transport properties by using the higher-order Chapman-Enskog method. This method is founded on the assumption that there exist two different characteristic time scales. Pure gas transport coefficients are calculated for each of the 19 neutral species considered. It is seen that the thermal conductivity increases strongly with the ionization degree. The electrical conductivity is essentially due to electron diffusion. Viscosity, the coefficient that describes the transport of linear momentum, is controlled by the collision between heavy particles.