Physical Properties of the MER and Beagle II Landing Sites on Mars

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

6225 Mars

Scientific paper

The ESA Beagle II and the NASA Mars Exploration Rover spacecraft are scheduled to land on the martian surface in December 2003 and January 2004, respectively. Mission operations and success depends on the physical properties of the surfaces on which they land. Surface structural characteristics such as the abundances of loose, unconsolidated fine material, of fine material that has been cemented into a duricrust, and of rocks affect the ability to safely land and to successfully sample and traverse the surface. Also, physical properties affect surface and atmospheric temperatures, which affect lander and rover functionality. We are in the process of analyzing surface temperature information for these sites, derived from MGS TES and Odyssey THEMIS daytime and nighttime measurements. Our approach is to: (i) remap thermal inertia using TES data at ~3-km resolution, to obtain the most complete coverage possible; (ii) interpret physical properties from TES coverage in conjunction with other remote-sensing data sets; (iii) map infrared brightness using daytime and nighttime THEMIS data at 100-m resolution, and do qualitative analysis of physical properties and processes; and (iv) derive thermal inertia from THEMIS nighttime data in conjunction with daytime albedo measurements derived from TES, THEMIS, and MOC observations. In addition, we will use measured temperatures and derived thermal inertia to predict surface temperatures for the periods of the missions.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Physical Properties of the MER and Beagle II Landing Sites on Mars does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Physical Properties of the MER and Beagle II Landing Sites on Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Physical Properties of the MER and Beagle II Landing Sites on Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1425123

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.