Aeolus the Elder: Alternate concept for a mission to measure the winds and climate of Mars
Abstract
We will present an updated version of the Aeolus mission concept that was first presented in 2016. Aeolus is a mission to directly measure the winds and climate of Mars, by measuring surface and atmospheric temperatures, aerosol abundances, and Doppler shifts in atmospheric spectral lines. Aeolus objectives are to: 1. Characterize Mars global circulation processes, including seasonal and diurnal changes. 2. Determine the relative contributions to the global energy balance at Mars by measuring rejected solar radiation, and thermal emission from the Martian surface and atmosphere. 3. Measure Martian atmospheric aerosol (H2O ice, dust) distribution. Direct wind velocity measurements have been deemed "High Priority" by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG); measuring wind speeds and corresponding thermal data are vital to understanding Mars' climate. Notably, collecting data on Martian weather is paramount for planning landed and crewed missions at the surface. The mission concept for Aeolus consists of a single spacecraft in a near-polar orbit, allowing it to pass over all local times, with near-global coverage of the surface. The spacecraft has increased in size to allow Aeolus to fly as a standalone mission with a complete comm system; the resulting changes in propulsion will be mentioned. The updated Aeolus concept utilizes a Doppler Wind and Temperature Sounder (DWTS): this set of filtered imagers allows for detection of emission lines through a gas reference cell. Doppler shifts in these lines, associated with winds speeds as low as 5 m/s, can be measured during day and night. DWTS also uses emission line widths to measure atmospheric temperature profiles. Aerosol profiles (H2O ice clouds, dust) will be measured. Finally, the Surface Radiometric Sensor Package (SuRSeP) will measure the total reflected solar radiance, and surface temperatures down to 140K and total water ice cloud and dust column densities. Combining direct wind observations and simultaneous observations of the atmospheric drivers that force these winds, Aeolus provides a unique data set to understand Martian circulation and validate Mars climate models. These data will also constrain the design space for future missions that fly or float in the atmosphere, descend through the atmosphere, or land and operate on its surface.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFM.P54D..16C
- Keywords:
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- 6297 Instruments and techniques;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS