Mars Aeronomy Science Themes and the NASA Exploration Initiative

Details Mars Aeronomy Science Themes and the NASA Exploration Initiative Mars Aeronomy Science Themes and the NASA Exploration Initiative

Dec 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004agufmsh54a..05j&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2004, abstract #SH54A-05

Physics

5400 Planetology: Solid Surface Planets, 6225 Mars, 2100 Interplanetary Physics, 2400 Ionosphere, 2700 Magnetospheric Physics

Scientific paper

NASA convened a workshop on 18-19 August to reexamine Mars upper-atmosphere science questions in light of the new Exploration Initiative, with more than 80 scientists participating. The upper atmosphere is an important part of the martian climate system. Determining the nature and history of the martian climate, the chemical weathering and alteration of the surface, and the planet's habitability requires understanding the roles of the solar wind and solar radiation inputs; the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the upper atmosphere; and the escape of volatiles to space. The upper atmosphere also plays important roles in programmatic aspects of the Mars exploration program, including communications, energetic particle and radiation environments that can affect humans, the lifetimes of orbiting spacecraft, operational aspects of orbital missions, and aerobraking operations. Important aspects of the upper-atmosphere can be observed from the unique perspective of the planned Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, especially with observations potentially made over an entire solar cycle. Although some limited observations are being made of the upper atmosphere at present, even combined with possible results from MTO they will not provide the detailed information necessary for either science or programmatic issues. The necessary observations can be obtained from a dedicated spacecraft mission with appropriate orbit, lifetime, and instrumentation. The necessary observations are thought to be possible within the confines of a Scout-class mission, although detailed analysis of this opportunity has not been done.

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