Determination of the Beagle2 landing site

Details Determination of the Beagle2 landing site Determination of the Beagle2 landing site

Feb 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004esasp.544..175t&link_type=abstract

In: Proceedings of the International Workshop Planetary Probe Atmospheric Entry and Descent Trajectory Analysis and Science, 6-9

Computer Science

Mars Express Mission, Beagle2

Scientific paper

Beagle2 is the UK-led lander element on ESA's Mars Express mission, which will reach Mars in late December 2003. After separation from the Mars Express orbiter 6 days before the atmospheric entry, Beagle2 will descend to the Martian surface by means of ablative heat shields and parachutes. The impact will be cushioned by a set of airbags. The selected landing site at 11.6 deg N/90.75 deg E (IAU 2000 coordinates) is situated in the south-east of the center of Isidis Planitia, a sedimentary basin which is expected to meet the requirements of Beagle's scientific mission, the lander operations, and the entry, descent and landing systems. The exact determination of the Beagle2 landing site is important not only for the Beagle2 and MEX orbiter science investigations, but also for the reconstruction of Beagle's entry and descent trajectory. A precise determination of the Beagle2 position is not possible via the MELACOM radio link. Instead, a novel method based on celestial navigation is employed, which utilizes the Stereo Camera System on the lander for imaging the Martian night sky. The position data is then refined by comparing the landing site panorama images with high resolution orbiter images and laser altimeter data. This combination of celestial navigation with image data analysis for precision position determination will be applicable for many future missions as well.

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