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Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 5)
This project develops a concept to determine the surface composition of Mars from a dedicated orbiter using 6 m/pixel shortwave infrared imaging spectroscopy and diffraction-limited thermal infrared radiometry. A mission duration of one Mars year in a polar orbit and an f/1.9 optical system (pictured) allows the payload to achieve high sensitivity over 94% of the Mars surface. More than 10,000 high-value targets with 6x6 kilometer area can be collected and downlinked directly to Earth; an optical relay or other enhancements could increase the data volume substantially. Requirements and point designs for the orbit, spacecraft, telecommunication system, and instrument subsystems are established to enable a technology readiness assessment of 5 at the end of the study.
Measuring the surface composition of Mars at up to 6 m/pixel sampling with coincident SWIR and TIR spectroscopy will address all three science themes of NASA’s future Mars Exploration Plan. Specifically, these data will: (1) Explore the potential for Martian life by addressing the uncertainties in the timing, duration, and transitions of aqueous settings, (2) Discover dynamic Mars by measuring frosts, ices, and determining the volatile cycles of H2O and CO2, and (3) Support human exploration of Mars by mapping minerals, ice, and thermophysical surface properties at scales needed for planning astronaut sorties from any landing site and potential for resource utilization.
Specifically, the SWIR spatial sampling improves upon MRO/CRISM by a factor of three, and the TIR spatial sampling improves upon Odyssey/THEMIS by a factor of eight, without sacrificing the signal-to-noise ratio. Developing the implementation approach readies the concept to take advantage of future, low-cost flight opportunities to Mars.
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