MWX: The Next Generation Martian Met Package

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We have developed an integrated instrument suite (known as MWX) that addresses not only the basic questions of martian synoptic, mesoscale and boundary layer meteorology, but also the cycling of water (or other tracers of interest) between surface and atmosphere. This instrument suite represents the step forward in maturity needed to open new and productive lines of inquiry into Martian meteorology and boundary layer science. The relatively simple preceding meteorology packages have been unable to completely constrain both the forcing and response of Mars' atmosphere and surface. MWX's sophisticated and highly integrated instrument package will, for the first time, enable a closure experiment on the heat, momentum and volatile balances between surface and atmosphere as the forcings change with local time, season and dustiness.
MWX includes a 3-axis sonic anemometer (cm/s winds and 0.1K temperature), a tunable laser spectrometer (water and other possible tracers), and a set of radiometers (atmospheric temperature profiles, surface and ambient temperatures, and insolation), in addition to the more traditional pressure and direct temperature sensors that enable the familiar synoptic meteorology measurements. The radiometers will return surface temperature and atmospheric temperature profiles to 5km altitude, similar to, but with much better temporal coverage than the MER Mini-TES instruments. Both the sonic anemometer and the tunable laser spectrometer are fast response instruments, capable of measuring at rates of 10 Hz or more with high accuracy. This enables the direct study of the eddies that carry material, heat and momentum through the atmospheric boundary layer between surface and atmosphere. Specifically, MWX's ability to study water fluxes should open many new avenues of research.
All of this fits in a package that is roughly 2.6kg, 2300 cm3 stowed, 3000 cm3 deployed, <10W operating, 0W quiescent, with all components at TRL 5 or above.

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