scholarly journals Mars Express science highlights and future plans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitrij Titov ◽  
Jean-Pierre Bibring ◽  
Alejandro Cardesin ◽  
John Carter ◽  
Tom Duxbury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Uv Spectra ◽  
Radio Link ◽  
Atmospheric Parameters ◽  
Transient Phenomena ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
Future Plans

<p>After 17 years in orbit Mars Express remains one of ESA’s most scientifically productive Solar System missions which publication record exceeds 1350 papers. Characterization of the surface geology on a local-to-regional scale by HRSC, OMEGA and partner experiments on NASA spacecraft has allowed constraining land-forming processes in space and time. Recent studies characterized the geology of Jezero crater in great detail and provided Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of several equatorial regions at 50 m/px resolution. New maps and catalogues of surface minerals with 200 m/px resolution were released. MARSIS radar published new observations and analysis of the multiple subglacial water bodies underneath the Southern polar cap. Modelling suggested that the “ponds” can be composed of hypersaline perchlorate brines.</p><p>Spectrometers and imagers SPICAM, PFS, OMEGA, HRSC and VMC continued amending the longest record of atmospheric parameters such as temperature, dust content, water vapor and ozone abundance, water ice and CO<sub>2</sub> clouds distribution and observing transient phenomena. More than 27,000 ozone profiles derived from SPICAM UV spectra obtained in MY#26 through MY#28 were assimilated in the OpenMARS database. Observed anti-correlation of ozone and water vapor abundance revealed a strong chemical coupling between these two species. A new “scan” mode of the spacecraft was designed and implemented to investigate diurnal variations of the atmospheric parameters. Observations of the atmospheric parameters and their local time variations above Tharsis region and Hellas basin contribute to mesoscale meteorology. Imaging revealed the properties of the elongated orographic cloud at Arsia Mons and other topography highs.</p><p>ASPERA measurements together with MAVEN “deep dip” data enabled assessment of the conditions that lead to the formation of the dayside ionopause in the regions with and without strong crustal magnetic fields suggesting that the ionopause occurs where the total ionospheric pressure (magnetic + thermal) equals the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure. First results of active sounding of the local plasma by ASPERA detecting ions accelerated by the MARSIS radar pulses appears promising in the study of plasma composition. </p><p>In 2020-2021 Mars Express successfully performed two types of novel observations. In egress-only radio-occultations a two-way radio link was locked at a tangent altitude of about 50 km. This is well below the ionospheric peak and in future would allow perfect sounding of the entire ionosphere thus doubling the number of ionospheric soundings. MEX and TGO performed several UHF radio-occultation tests in preparation for the dual-spacecraft radio-occultation sounding.    </p><p>Mars Express is extended till the end of 2022. A science case for the mission extension in 2023-2025 will be submitted by the end of 2021. The talk will give the Mars Express status, review the recent science highlights, and outline future plans including synergistic science with TGO.</p>

scholarly journals Mars Express science highlights and future plans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitrij Titov ◽  
Jean-Pierre Bibring ◽  
Alejandro Cardesin ◽  
John Carter ◽  
Thomas Duxbury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Uv Spectra ◽  
Radio Link ◽  
Atmospheric Parameters ◽  
Mesoscale Meteorology ◽  
Transient Phenomena ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
Water Ice ◽  
Future Plans

<p>After 17 years in orbit Mars Express remains one of ESA’s most scientifically productive Solar System missions which publication record exceeds 1300 papers. Characterization of the surface geology on a local-to-regional scale by HRSC, OMEGA and partner experiments on NASA spacecraft has allowed constraining land-forming processes in space and time. Recent studies characterized the geology of Jezero crater in great detail and provided Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of several equatorial regions at 50 m/px resolution. New maps and catalogues of surface minerals with 200 m/px resolution were released. MARSIS radar published new observations and analysis of the multiple subglacial water bodies underneath the Southern polar cap. Modelling suggested that the “ponds” can be composed of hypersaline perchlorate brines.</p><p>Spectrometers and imagers SPICAM, PFS, OMEGA, HRSC and VMC continued amending the longest record of atmospheric parameters such as temperature, dust loading, water vapor and ozone abundance, water ice and CO<sub>2</sub> clouds distribution and observing transient phenomena. More than 27,000 ozone profiles derived from SPICAM UV spectra obtained in MY#26 through MY#28 were assimilated in the OpenMARS database. A new “scan” mode of the spacecraft was designed and implemented to investigate diurnal variations of the atmospheric parameters. Observations of Tharsis region and Hellas basin contribute to mesoscale meteorology.</p><p>ASPERA measurements together with MAVEN “deep dip” data enabled assessment of the conditions that lead to the formation of the dayside ionopause in the regions with and without strong crustal magnetic fields suggesting that the ionopause occurs where the total ionospheric pressure (magnetic + thermal) equals the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure.</p><p>In 2020 Mars Express successfully performed two types of novel observations. In egress-only radio-occultations a two-way radio link was locked at a tangent altitude of about 50 km. This is well below the ionospheric peak and would allow perfect sounding of the entire ionosphere thus doubling the number of ionospheric soundings. MEX and TGO performed several test UHF occultations. The dual-spacecraft radio-occultation technique would significantly enhance the missions’ capabilities in atmospheric sounding.  </p><p>Mars Express is extended till the end of 2022. A science case for the mission extension till the end of 2025 will be developed and submitted by summer 2021. The talk will give the Mars Express status, review the recent science highlights, and outline future plans including synergistic science with TGO.</p>

scholarly journals Mars Express Science Highlights and Future Plans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitrij Titov ◽  
Jean-Pierre Bibring ◽  
Alejandro Cardesin ◽  
Thomas Duxbury ◽  
Francois Forget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
Geological Evidence ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
Ion Escape ◽  
Landing Sites ◽  
Clay Formation ◽  
Future Plans

<p>After 16 years in orbit Mars Express remains one of ESA’s most scientifically productive Solar System missions which publication record now exceeds 1270 papers. Characterization of the geological processes on a local-to-regional scale by HRSC, OMEGA and partner experiments on NASA spacecraft has allowed constraining land-forming processes in space and time. Recent studies suggest geological evidence of a planet-wide groundwater system on Mars and surface clay formation during short-term warmer and wetter conditions on a largely cold ancient Mars that might indicate a change in our understanding of early Mars climate. HRSC team released first set of multi-orbit Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the MC-11 quadrangle and the Southern polar cap with 50 m/px resolution. Mars Express observations and experimental teams provided essential contribution to the selection of the Mars-2020 landing sites and supporting characterization of potential landing sites for the Chinese HX-1 mission. Following recent discovery of subglacial liquid water underneath the Southern polar layered deposits the MARSIS radar continues searching for subsurface water pockets.</p><p>One-and-half decade of monitoring of atmospheric parameters such as temperature, dust loading, water vapor and ozone abundance, water ice and CO2 clouds distribution, collected by SPICAM, PFS, OMEGA, HRSC and VMC together with subsequent modeling have provided key contributions to our understanding of the Martian climate. The observed ozone climatology demonstrate significant discrepancies with model predictions indicating the need for models improvement. In 2018 PFS confirmed observations of a methane abundance “spike” in the Gale crater observed in situ by the Curiosity Rover. Recent similar quasi-simultaneous observations were in disagreement, thus indicating that the methane “enigma” continues. This poses a significant challenge to both observers and modelers. The radio-science experiment MaRS revealed fine structure of the boundary layer. Its depth varies from 2 km in topographic lows to ~10 km over highlands.</p><p>Observations of the ion escape during complete solar cycle revealed that ion escape can be responsible for removal of about 10 mbar over Mars history that implies existence of other more effective escape channels.  </p><p>The structure of the ionosphere derived from MARSIS and MaRS sounding was found to be significantly affected by the solar activity, the crustal magnetic field. The observations suggest that the sunlit ionosphere over the regions with strong crustal fields is denser and extends to higher altitudes as compared to the regions with no crustal anomalies. Expansion of the ionosphere was also observed during the global dust storm. Ionospheric models aim at creating user-friendly data base of plasma parameters that would be of great service to the planetary community.</p><p>The “gyroless” attitude control and operations mode of the spacecraft operates flawlessly since April 2018. Aging batteries impose more and more limitations on science operations during eclipse seasons. The mission is now confirmed till the end of 2020 and notionally extended till the end of 2022. The talk will give the Mars Express status, review the recent science highlights, and outline future plans including synergistic science with TGO.</p>

scholarly journals Mars Express science highlights and future plans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitrij Titov ◽  
Jean-Pierre Bibring ◽  
Alejandro Cardesin ◽  
Tom Duxbury ◽  
Francois Forget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Geological Evidence ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
Geological Processes ◽  
Ion Escape ◽  
Landing Sites ◽  
Dust Loading ◽  
Clay Formation ◽  
Future Plans

<p>After 16 years in orbit Mars Express remains one of ESA’s most scientifically productive Solar System missions which publication record now approaches 1300 papers. Characterization of the geological processes on a local-to-regional scale by HRSC, OMEGA and partner experiments on NASA spacecraft has allowed constraining land-forming processes in space and time. Recent studies suggest geological evidence of a planet-wide groundwater system on Mars and surface clay formation during short-term warmer and wetter conditions on a largely cold ancient Mars. HRSC team released the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the MC-11 quadrangle and the Southern polar cap at 50 m/px resolution. Mars Express provided essential contribution to the selection of the Mars-2020 landing sites and supporting characterization of potential landing sites for Chinese Tianwen-1 mission.</p> <p>One-and-one-half decade of monitoring of atmospheric parameters such as temperature, dust loading, water vapor and ozone abundance, water ice and CO2 clouds distribution, collected by SPICAM, PFS, OMEGA, HRSC and VMC together with subsequent modeling have provided key contributions to our understanding of the Martian climate. In 2019 PFS confirmed observations of a methane abundance “spike” in the Gale crater observed in situ by the Curiosity Rover. Recent similar quasi-simultaneous observations were in disagreement, thus indicating that the methane “enigma” continues. This poses a significant challenge to both observers and modelers. The radio-science experiment MaRS revealed fine structure of the boundary layer which depth varies from 2 km in topographic lows to ~10 km over highlands.</p> <p>Observations of the ion escape during a complete solar cycle revealed that ion escape can be responsible for removal of about 10 mbar of the atmosphere over Mars’ history. This implies existence of other, more effective, escape channels. The structure of the ionosphere derived from MARSIS and MaRS sounding was found to be significantly affected by the solar activity, dust loading in the lower atmosphere, and crustal magnetic field. The observations suggest that the sunlit ionosphere over the regions with strong crustal fields is denser and extends to higher altitudes as compared to the regions with no crustal anomalies. Ionospheric models aim at creating user-friendly data base of plasma parameters that would be of great service to the planetary community. Focused exploration of the Martian moons continues.</p> <p>The mission is notionally extended till the end of 2022. A science case for the mission extension till the end of 2025 has been submitted. The talk will give the Mars Express status, review the recent science highlights, and outline future plans including synergistic science with TGO.</p>

Integrated Water Vapor Estimation Through Microwave Propagation Measurements: First Experiment on a Ground-to-Ground Radio Link

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Francesco Montomoli ◽  
Giovanni Macelloni ◽  
Luca Facheris ◽  
Fabrizio Cuccoli ◽  
Samuele Del Bianco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Radio Link ◽  
Microwave Propagation

scholarly journals Annual survey of water vapor behavior from the OMEGA mapping spectrometer onboard Mars Express

Icarus ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 213 (2) ◽  
pp. 480-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Maltagliati ◽  
Dmitrij V. Titov ◽  
Thérèse Encrenaz ◽  
Riccardo Melchiorri ◽  
Francois Forget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
Annual Survey

Analysis of selected Solar events with Mars Express radio occultation data 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Özgür Karatekin ◽  
Ananya Krishnan ◽  
Nayeem Ebrahimkutty ◽  
Greg Henry ◽  
Ahmed El Fadhel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Mars Express ◽  
Solar Events ◽  
Occultation Data ◽  
Radio Occultation Data

scholarly journals APPLICATION OF REGRESSION ANALYSIS FOR CALCULATIONS UNDER DATA OF IKFS-2 AND MTVZA DEVICES OF METEOR-2 SATELLITES

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-10
Author(s):  
Feodor Pyatkin ◽  
Vladimir Golomolzin ◽  
Angelica Kostornaya
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Water Vapor ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Concentration ◽  
Regression Method ◽  
Atmospheric Parameters ◽  
Hyper Spectral ◽  
Microwave Sensor ◽  
Multiple Regression Method ◽  
Infrared Fourier Spectrometer

This article examines a multiple regression method to calculate the characteristics of the at-mosphere with hyper spectral sensors data of “Meteor-2” satellite. The method was used to calculate the carbon dioxide concentration by infrared Fourier-spectrometer IKFS-2 and the integral content of water vapor of atmosphere for the microwave sensor MTVZA-GY. Analysis of the obtained results and calculation errors showed the possibility of using this method to restore the values of atmospheric parameters. The proposed method could be applied to for various sensors and it allows to expand the capabilities of other methods.

scholarly journals Precipitable Water Vapor Retrieval and Analysis by Multiple Data Sources: Ground-Based GNSS, Radio Occultation, Radiosonde, Microwave Satellite, and NWP Reanalysis Data

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Zhang ◽  
Junhua Ye ◽  
Shuangcheng Zhang ◽  
Fei Han
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Precipitable Water ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Precipitable Water Vapor ◽  
Reanalysis Dataset ◽  
High Positive Correlation ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Ecmwf Reanalysis

Precipitable water vapor (PWV) content detection is vital to heavy rain prediction; up to now, lots of different measuring methods and devices are developed to observe PWV. In general, these methods can be divided into two categories, ground-based or space-based. In this study, we analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies, compare retrieved atmosphere parameters by different RO (radio occultation) observations, like FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (Formosa Satellite-3 and Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) and FY3C (China Feng Yun 3C), and assess retrieved PWV precision with a radiosonde. Besides, we interpolate PWV from NWP (numerical weather prediction) reanalysis data for more comparison and analysis with RO. Specifically, ground-based GNSS is of high precision and continuous availability to monitor PWV distribution; in our paper, we show cases to validate and compare GNSS retrieving PWV with a radiosonde. Except GNSS PWV, we give two different radio occultation sounding results, COSMIC and FY3C, to validate the precision to monitor PWV from space in a global area. FY3C results containing Beidou (China Beidou Global Satellite Navigation System) radio occultation events need to be emphasized. So, in our study, we get the retrieved atmospheric profiles from GPS and Beidou radio occultation observations and derive atmosphere PWV by a variational retrieval method based on these data over a global area. Besides, other space-based methods, such as microwave satellite, are also useful in detecting PWV distribution situations in a global area from space; in this study, we present a case of retrieved PWV using microwave satellite observation. NWP reanalysis data ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) ERA-Interim and the new-generation reanalysis data ERA5 provide global grid atmosphere parameters, like surface temperature, different-level pressures, and precipitable water. We show cases of retrieved PWV and validate the precision with radiosonde results and compare new reanalysis dataset ERA5 with ERA-Interim, finding that ERA5 can get higher precision-retrieved atmosphere parameters and PWV. In the end, from our comparison, we find that the retrieved PWV from RO (FY3C and COSMIC) and ECMWF reanalysis data (ERA-Interim and ERA5) have a high positive correlation and that almost all R2 values exceed 0.9, compare retrieved PWV with a radiosonde, and find that whether it is RO and ECMWF reanalysis data, ground-based GNSS, or microwave satellite, they all show small biases.

scholarly journals Variations of aerosol optical thickness, water vapor and Ångström parameter over the semi-arid zone of Tajikistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 03004
Author(s):  
Sabur F. Abdullaev ◽  
Vladimir A. Maslov ◽  
Bahron I. Nazarov ◽  
Nasridin Kh. Minikulov ◽  
Abdugani M. Djuraev
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Optical Thickness ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Aerosol Optical Thickness ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Atmospheric Parameters ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Semi Arid

The article describes the results of measurements that were carried out systematically during 2010-2017 at the AERONET station in Dushanbe. The data on the changes of aerosol optical thickness (AOT), moisture content and Ångström parameter are described. The seasonal and annual variations of these quantities were analyzed. The regularities of repeatability histograms as statistical characteristics of the atmospheric parameters were studied.

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