Investigations of Mars dynamics and geodesy via the Viking spacecraft

Details Investigations of Mars dynamics and geodesy via the Viking spacecraft Investigations of Mars dynamics and geodesy via the Viking spacecraft

May 1978

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1978stia...7837674m&link_type=abstract

IUGG, IAG, and COSPAR, International Symposium on The Use of Artificial Satellites for Geodesy and Dynamics, 2nd, Athens, Greece

Physics

Geodesy, Mars (Planet), Mars Environment, Viking Lander Spacecraft, Viking Orbiter Spacecraft, Deimos, Doppler Radar, Gravitational Fields, Mars Atmosphere, Phobos, Planet Ephemerides, Planetary Rotation, Sidereal Time, Tracking (Position)

Scientific paper

Results are reported for analyses of Doppler, ranging, and tracking data from the Viking landers and orbiters of relevance to the dynamics and geodesy of Mars. Highly improved numerical results are given for the orientation of the spin axis of Mars, the planet's sidereal rotation rate, and the earth-Mars ephemeris. A refined definition of the global gravitational field of Mars is discussed, a local gravitational survey based on Viking Orbiter 2 tracking data is described, and a mass anomaly near Olympus Mons is noted. Radius data are examined which suggest an asymmetry in the figure of Mars characterized by generally higher topography in the southern than in the northern hemisphere. The mass of Phobos is determined on the basis of Orbiter 1 orbital perturbations, and the mean density of this Martian satellite is found to be approximately 2.0 g/cu cm, which is suggestive of primitive carbonaceous chondrites and, if true, implies that Phobos was formed in the asteroid belt.

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