Implications of high-spatial-resolution thermal infrared (Termoskan) data for Mars landing site selection
Abstract
Thermal infrared observations of Mars from spacecraft provide physical information about the upper thermal skin depth of the surface, which is on the order of a few centimeters in depth and thus very significant for lander site selection. The Termoskan instrument onboard the Soviet Phobos '88 spacecraft acquired the highest spatial-resolution thermal infrared data obtained for Mars, ranging in resolution from 300 m to 3 km per pixel. It simultaneously obtained broadband reflected solar flux data. Although the 6 deg N - 30 deg S Termoskan coverage only slightly overlaps the nominal Mars Pathfinder target range, the implications of Termoskan data for that overlap region and the extrapolations that can be made to other regions give important clues for optimal landing site selection.
- Publication:
-
Mars Pathfinder Landing Site Workshop
- Pub Date:
- 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994mpls.workR..17B
- Keywords:
-
- Infrared Astronomy;
- Landing Sites;
- Mars Landing;
- Site Selection;
- Solar Flux;
- Soviet Spacecraft;
- Spatial Resolution;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration