Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
This paper is a comprehensive summary of a White Paper titled ‘Measuring Mars Atmospheric Winds from Orbit’ and submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032 on 15 July 2020. Its context is formulated by human and robotic Mars exploration developments by MEPAG (Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group), the risks involved, and recommendations on the best way for development. MEPAG identifies wind measurements as a high priority for comprehending the science of Mars. In this regard, comprehensive knowledge about wind patterns is paramount to future Mars exploration. The paper’s aim is to determine key points in understanding of the environmental impact that human space activities may have on Mars.
The authors of the White Paper cite the fact that only a few direct quantifications of wind are on record so far despite the critical role in the attempt of exploring Mars. The instrumentation is articulated by applying wind sensors, spectrometers, ground-based telescopes, and cloud tracking from the orbit and surface all possess elements that limit them from giving reliable results. They state that adopting data assimilation frameworks will mitigate the weaknesses present in atmospheric and numerical modeling. The methodology involves generalized data assimilation framework, which allows the atmospheric background state to augment other observations that facilitate the assessment of the actual atmospheric state, which in turn gives more accurate observation values.
The authors of the White Paper state that NASA has been able to identify various strategic knowledge gaps concerning the human exploration of Mars. There are several risks associated with robotic and human spaceflight. These include surface operations such as damage to the spacecraft instruments and the risk of aerodynamic maneuvering in an atmosphere that is complex. The complexity of the atmosphere comprises of the wind field that has four dimensions, the manner that aerosols are distributed, and the vertically oriented profile of the temperature, which all pose a significant risk to spaceflights.
The experimental setup is based on the four critical concerns feature in the White Paper that scientifically address all the risks associated with robotic and human space exploration concerning Mars. Three instruments featured in the White Paper can facilitate these measurements. These include LIDAR, Sub-mm Sounder, and Doppler Wind and Temperature Sounder. The MARLI (Mars Lidar) determines the speed of wind in the line of laser on sight, promoting global climate data finding from orbit.
The Sub-mm (Submillimeter) Sounder, on the other hand, is concerned with atmospheric wind measurements. It does this by observing the shape and position of the molecular lines produced by thermal emissions of carbon monoxide, water, and other species. As a result, the authors identified that, the Doppler Wind and Temperature Sounder use gas filter correlation radiometry with high wind measurement accuracy. The White Paper concludes by stating that human exploration of Mars needs accurate measurements of the atmospheric winds of Mars. The Decadal Survey should prioritize these measurements for 2023-2032.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.