Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:

2 SUMMARY OF PLANNED FUTURE MISSIONS
Pages 18-22

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 18...
... An altimeter will determine surface elevations to a vertical precision of a few meters, and the surface will be imaged at a resolution of roughly 100 meters per pixel. a magnetometer will determine if the planet has an intrinsic magnetic field, map any crustal remnant field, and follow variations in the magnetic field induced by the solar wind or surface anomalies.
From page 19...
... A pressure modulated infrared radiometer will repeatedly sound the atmosphere to characterize changes in the vertical structure of the atmosphere with time and location. Finally, on-board transponders will permit extremely precise determination of the planet's gravitational field.
From page 20...
... Since the balloon will move large distances dragging a guide rope and instruments along the ground, the potential for contamination is significant. The Mars 96 rover will weigh roughly 100 kilograms and be about a meter in height.4 In addition to imaging instruments, it will carry instruments to measure soil mineralogy and chemistry, the water content of the soil, and trace gases in the atmosphere, and it may include capabilities for analyzing organic materials.
From page 21...
... The stations will be widely distributed, and some will be sent to places such as the poles that are unlikely to be visited by other types of landers in the foreseeable future. ESA Marsnet Mission The European Space Agency has been independently studying a network mission called Marsnet.6 The design is very similar to that of the MESUR mission except that fewer stations are involved, and the mechanism for delivery of the stations to the martian surface is uncertain.
From page 22...
... : Scientific Objectives and Mission Description. NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., July 19.


This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.