Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Integrating Results From the Primary Science Phase

Details Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Integrating Results From the Primary Science Phase Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Integrating Results From the Primary Science Phase

Dec 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008agufm.p31d..01z&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2008, abstract #P31D-01

Mathematics

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5400 Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets, 5405 Atmospheres (0343, 1060), 5410 Composition (1060, 3672), 5415 Erosion And Weathering, 5462 Polar Regions

Scientific paper

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) recently completed its one-Mars-year Primary Science Phase, observing the Martian atmosphere, surface and subsurface with 7 science investigations using 6 science instruments and tracking of the spacecraft as it orbited Mars. In addition, an eighth investigation made use of the onboard accelerometers during a 5-month period of MRO aerobraking to characterize upper atmospheric structure. Hallmarks-and challenges-of the MRO science mission have been: 1) unprecedented spatial resolution at all wavelengths used when observing from orbit; 2) coordinated imaging of local areas; and 3) the balancing of mapping, regional survey, and targeted observation of selected locales, frequently including repeat observations for stereo or for change detection. This talk will give an overview of the data return, including coverage in various observing modes, and will review how the various data sets have combined to provide new perspectives in our attempts to understand Mars, its present climate and its past evolution. Examples include the combination of surface compositional and morphologic information--on scales comparable to those examined by a terrestrial field geologist-to understand modification of the surface, revelations of the interior structure of the polar ice caps and of ice-rich deposits elsewhere which illuminate climate changes in recent geologic time, and monitoring of modern day variations, particularly as they reveal seasonal and inter-annual redistribution of dust and water, but also as they characterize ongoing mass wasting and cratering of the surface. Together, these all point to a complex history of change on Mars, with alternating episodes of significant water activity early in the planet's history, but with some water activity occurring in later geologic times, including the modern era.

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