Computer Science – Performance
Scientific paper
Oct 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000dps....32.5911s&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS Meeting #32, #59.11; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 32, p.1115
Computer Science
Performance
Scientific paper
During three orbits in May, the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) high-gain antenna was aimed toward the planet's surface and followed the specular point as it moved from near 85S latitude to the equator. On at least one orbit, the track crossed the target area for the Mars Polar Lander (MPL) and Deep Space 2 (DS2) spacecraft. The ratio of echo powers in orthogonal circular polarizations can be used to infer the dielectric constant of a reflecting surface as a function of incidence angle. In this case, the calibration system which allows absolute determination of power in each channel malfunctioned. Assuming nominal performance, however, we derive a dielectric constant of approximately 2.3 in the MPL/DS2 area -- somewhat lower than 'average' Mars values obtained in experiments with other spacecraft and from Earth but consistent with loosely packed soil, snow, or both. Echo properties are stable over a range of latitudes, indicating that the dielectric constant (and density of the surface material) is relatively uniform. We infer from these results that the MPL/DS2 target area is not anomalous within the larger context of the southern polar layered terrain.
Simpson Richard A.
Tyler Leonard G.
No associations
LandOfFree
MGS Bistatic Radar Probing of the MPL/DS2 Target Area 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 MGS Bistatic Radar Probing of the MPL/DS2 Target Area, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and MGS Bistatic Radar Probing of the MPL/DS2 Target Area will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-867753