2. Modern Exploration
Global Surveyor
Objectives:
High resolution imaging of the surface
Study the topography and gravity
Study the role of water and dust on the
surface and in the atmosphere
Study the weather and climate of Mars
Study the composition of the surface and
atmosphere
Study the existence and evolution of the
Martian magnetic field
3. Modern Exploration
Global Surveyor
Instruments
Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC); capture high-resolution images of the
surface (1.5 meters per pixel)
Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES); investigate thermal
properties of rocks and soils, collect mineralogy data
Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA); elevation data
Magnetometer/Electron Reflectometer; search for evidence of a
planetary magnetic field
12. Modern Exploration
Global Surveyor
Notable results from Global Surveyor
The northern hemisphere is probably just as cratered as the
southern hemisphere, but the craters are mostly buried.
High-resolution imagery shows modifications to the surface
have taken place over the past decade.
Hundreds of gullies were discovered that were formed from
liquid water (probably), possibly in recent times.
The Thermal Emission Spectrometer found that just about all
of the surface of Mars is covered with volcanic rock.
Magnetometer data show remnant, alternating magnetic
fields
13. Modern Exploration
Global Surveyor
How did Global Surveyor advance scientific understanding
of Mars?
Smoking gun evidence that liquid water was stable on the
surface for long periods of time
Mars exhibits a “global dichotomy” in terms of topography
Spectral ID of the global surface composition
What technological advance(s) did Global Surveyor carry?
Highest-resolution camera, for the time
Laser altimeter
TES; lithology, mineralogy
Magnetometer; remnant magnetic field
15. Modern Exploration
Mars Pathfinder
The primary mission objectives were to demonstrate the
feasibility of low-cost landings on, and exploration of, the
Martian surface (Faster, Better, Cheaper)
Scientific objectives included
atmospheric entry science
long-range and close-up surface imaging
the general objective was to characterize the Martian environment
for further exploration
16. Modern Exploration
Mars Pathfinder
Landed in Ares Vallis which was believed to be the site of
an ancient flood
Landing site selection made using Viking orbiter imagery
First rover; first to use airbags
19. Modern Exploration
Mars Pathfinder
Lander Instruments
Imager for Mars Pathfinder (IMP)
Meteorological Station
Rover Instruments
Three cameras, two stereo cameras in the front and a rear
color imaging system; cameras worked in tandem with a
laser system to detect and avoid obstacles
Alpha-Proton-X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS); assess the
composition of rocks and soils
21. Modern Exploration
Mars Pathfinder
Notable results from Pathfinder
More than 16,500 images from the lander and 550
images from the rover
More than 15 chemical analyses of rocks and soil and
extensive data on winds and other weather factors
Findings from the investigations carried out by scientific
instruments on both the lander and the rover suggest
that Mars was at one time in its past warm and wet, with
water existing in its liquid state and a thicker
atmosphere
22. Modern Exploration
Mars Pathfinder
How did Pathfinder advance scientific understanding of
Mars?
Evidence on the ground for a warm, wet past
What technological advance(s) did Pathfinder carry?
First rover; can be remotely operated
New landing system
23. Modern Exploration
NASA’s theme for Mars exploration - Follow the Water -
began with the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission
Odyssey, and every mission since, has addressed the
Mars programs’ four goals:
Determine whether life ever arose on Mars
Characterize the climate of Mars
Characterize the geology of Mars
Prepare for human exploration
25. Modern Exploration
Mars Odyssey
Objectives:
Determine the abundance of hydrogen, most likely in the
form of water ice, in the shallow subsurface
Globally map the elements that make up the surface
Acquire high-resolution thermal infrared images of surface
minerals
Provide information about the structure of the Martian surface
Record the radiation environment in low Mars orbit as it
relates to radiation-related risk to human exploration
26. Modern Exploration
Odyssey
3 instruments:
Thermal Emission Imaging
System (THEMIS); mineralogy
Gamma Ray Spectrometer
(GRS); elemental composition
Martian Radiation
Environment Experiment
(MARIE)
33. Modern Exploration
Odyssey
Notable results from Odyssey
Evidence for vast amounts of subsurface water ice at both
polar regions
Can you see it?
Where is it?
Underneath the surface but…
How deep?
Is it dirty ice? Or icy dirt?
34. Modern Exploration
Odyssey
How is Odyssey advancing scientific understanding of
Mars?
Water-ice exists underneath the surface in the polar regions,
not just at the poles
What technological advance(s) does Odyssey carry?
GRS; able to “look” below the surface