Assessment of Solar System Exploration Programs--1991 (1991) / Chapter Skim
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2 Exploration of the Inner Planets
2 Exploration of the Inner Planets
Pages 4-10
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From page 4... ...
The committee recommended that the triad of terrestrial planets -- Venus, Earth, and Mars -- should be the major focus in exploration of the inner solar system for the succeeding decade. REPORT MENU NOTICE SCIENCE OBJECTIVES MEMBERSHIP FOREWORD SUMMARY Specifically, the committee established the following scientific objectives CHAPTER 1 in the 1978 report for the inner planets: CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 Mercury CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 Determine the chemical composition of the planet's surface on both a CHAPTER 9 global and regional scale.
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Determine the concentrations of photochemically active gases in the 65-135 km altitude region. Investigate the physical and chemical interactions of the surface with the atmosphere and study the composition and formation of atmospheric aerosols.
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to establish the nature and chronology of the major surface forming processes; (c) to determine the distribution, abundance, and sources and sinks of volatile materials, including an assessment of the biological potential of the Martian environment, now and during past epochs; (d)
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The highest priority objective to provide a global map of the surface of Venus at high spatial resolution is now being accomplished by the Magellan mission. Results from missions by NASA's Pioneer Venus and the Soviet Union's Venera spacecraft series raised some significant questions pertaining to middle and lower atmospheric composition, including time variability file:///C|/SSB_old_web/ssep91ch2.htm (4 of 8)
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From page 8... ...
Therefore, COMPLEX in its 1990 update recommended that "characterization of the basic structure, composition, and dynamics of the Venus atmosphere be a primary objective." The committee also elevated studies of the Venus interior to primary status, together with studies of the surface and the atmosphere, so that acquisition of seismic data is now a primary objective. The committee therefore restated the recommendation of the 1978 report to emphasize that "acquisition of seismic data from Venus should be maintained as a highly desirable goal," and that "serious study of instruments operating at Venusian surface temperatures should be undertaken and preliminary studies should be conducted to determine the technical feasibility of sample return from Venus." In addition, the committee noted that a more sensitive search for any intrinsic magnetic field of Venus is of primary significance for determining the nature of the planet's interior.
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From page 9... ...
If life developed in the more clement ages on Mars, it may have left chemical and fossil evidence. COMPLEX therefore recommended in its 1990 update report "that the geochemical, isotopic, and paleontological study of Martian surface material for evidence of previous living material be a prime objective of future in situ and sample return missions." Space Exploration Initiative The administration and NASA are planning a major program called the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI)
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In its 1990 update, however, the committee also made a recommendation with regard to program balance. It urged that "exploration of the inner planets in the next two decades should include further exploration of Mercury and Venus because a program of planetary exploration that includes only Mars and the Moon is scientifically inadequate." Last update 12/12/00 at 3:34 pm Site managed by Anne Simmons, Space Studies Board file:///C|/SSB_old_web/ssep91ch2.htm (7 of 8)
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