Mars 96 subsurface radar.
Abstract
The Mars 96 International Scientific mission is to launch an aerostat that will drift in the martian atmosphere for ten days. The stabilizing element of the aerostat (guiderope) will be dragged on the martian surface every night. A ground penetrating radar will be installed within the guiderope. Its external surface will act as a transmit and receive antenna. A full scale model has been built and tested on different soils and glaciers. Further experiments will be performed to test the full specifications: radar potential and data processing could yield, on planet Mars, a penetrating depth down to 2.5 km with 30 m resolution. In this paper, the authors describe the main technical features of the radar, examine its implementation into the guiderope, and present some experimental results.
- Publication:
-
ESA Special Publication
- Pub Date:
- December 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991ESASP.328...51B
- Keywords:
-
- Electromagnetism;
- Geological Surveys;
- Mars (Planet);
- Phase Shift Keying;
- Radar Geology;
- Radar Measurement;
- Topology;
- Airships;
- Ground Tests;
- Mars Craters;
- Mars Volcanoes;
- Radar Detection;
- Radar Equipment;
- Systems Engineering;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration