Modern exploration mgs mpf_mo

Modern ExplorationGlobal Surveyor


Objectives: High resolution imaging of the surface Study the topography and gravity Study the role of water and dust on the

surface and in the atmosphere Study the weather and climate of Mars Study the composition of the surface and

atmosphere Study the existence and evolution of the

Martian magnetic field

Modern ExplorationGlobal Surveyor Instruments

Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC); capture high-resolution images of the surface (1.5 meters per pixel)

Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES); investigate thermal properties of rocks and soils, collect mineralogy data

Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA); elevation data Magnetometer/Electron Reflectometer; search for evidence of a

planetary magnetic field



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Credit: Malin Space Science Systems – www.msss.com


Credit: NASA/JPL/ASU


Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center


Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center


Notable results from Global Surveyor The northern hemisphere is probably just as cratered as the

southern hemisphere, but the craters are mostly buried. High-resolution imagery shows modifications to the surface

have taken place over the past decade. Hundreds of gullies were discovered that were formed from

liquid water (probably), possibly in recent times. The Thermal Emission Spectrometer found that just about all

of the surface of Mars is covered with volcanic rock. Magnetometer data show remnant, alternating magnetic

fields

Modern ExplorationGlobal SurveyorHow did Global Surveyor advance scientific understanding of Mars?

Smoking gun evidence that liquid water was stable on the surface for long periods of time

Mars exhibits a “global dichotomy” in terms of topography Spectral ID of the global surface composition

What technological advance(s) did Global Surveyor carry? Highest-resolution camera, for the time Laser altimeter TES; lithology, mineralogy Magnetometer; remnant magnetic field

Modern ExplorationMars Pathfinder


The primary mission objectives were to demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost landings on, and exploration of, the Martian surface (Faster, Better, Cheaper)

Scientific objectives included atmospheric entry science long-range and close-up surface imaging the general objective was to characterize the Martian environment

for further exploration

Modern ExplorationMars PathfinderLanded in Ares Vallis which was believed to be the site of an ancient floodLanding site selection made using Viking orbiter imageryFirst rover; first to use airbags


Landing Site Locations


Pathfinder Landing Site


Lander Instruments Imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMP) Meteorological Station

Rover Instruments Three cameras, two stereo cameras in the front and a rear

color imaging system; cameras worked in tandem with a laser system to detect and avoid obstacles

Alpha-Proton-X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS); assess the composition of rocks and soils



Notable results from PathfinderMore than 16,500 images from the lander and 550

images from the roverMore than 15 chemical analyses of rocks and soil and

extensive data on winds and other weather factorsFindings from the investigations carried out by scientific

instruments on both the lander and the rover suggest that Mars was at one time in its past warm and wet, with water existing in its liquid state and a thicker atmosphere


How did Pathfinder advance scientific understanding of Mars? Evidence on the ground for a warm, wet past

What technological advance(s) did Pathfinder carry? First rover; can be remotely operated New landing system

Modern Exploration

NASA’s theme for Mars exploration - Follow the Water - began with the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission

Odyssey, and every mission since, has addressed the Mars programs’ four goals: Determine whether life ever arose on Mars Characterize the climate of Mars Characterize the geology of Mars Prepare for human exploration

Modern ExplorationMars Odyssey

Modern ExplorationMars Odyssey

Objectives: Determine the abundance of hydrogen, most likely in the

form of water ice, in the shallow subsurface Globally map the elements that make up the surface Acquire high-resolution thermal infrared images of surface

minerals Provide information about the structure of the Martian surface Record the radiation environment in low Mars orbit as it

relates to radiation-related risk to human exploration

Modern ExplorationOdyssey

3 instruments: Thermal Emission Imaging

System (THEMIS); mineralogy Gamma Ray Spectrometer

(GRS); elemental composition Martian Radiation

Environment Experiment (MARIE)


Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona


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Notable results from Odyssey Evidence for vast amounts of subsurface water ice at both

polar regions Can you see it?





Notable results from Odyssey Evidence for vast amounts of subsurface water ice at both

polar regions Can you see it? Where is it?

Underneath the surface but… How deep? Is it dirty ice? Or icy dirt?


How is Odyssey advancing scientific understanding of Mars? Water-ice exists underneath the surface in the polar regions,

not just at the poles

What technological advance(s) does Odyssey carry? GRS; able to “look” below the surface

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