ESA & ROSCOSMOS - ExoMars Mission patch.
29 November 2016
ESA’s new ExoMars orbiter has tested its suite of instruments in orbit for the first time, hinting at a great potential for future observations.
The Trace Gas Orbiter, or TGO, a joint endeavour between ESA and Roscosmos, arrived at Mars on 19 October. Its elliptical orbit takes it from 230–310 km above the surface to around 98 000 km every 4.2 days.
First images from ExoMars
It spent the last two orbits during 20–28 November testing its four science instruments for the first time since arrival, and making important calibration measurements.
Data from the first orbit has been made available for this release to illustrate the range of observations to be expected once the craft arrives into its near-circular 400 km-altitude orbit late next year.
Arsia Chasmata
TGO’s main goal is to make a detailed inventory of rare gases that make up less than 1% of the atmosphere’s volume, including methane, water vapour, nitrogen dioxide and acetylene.
Of high interest is methane, which on Earth is produced primarily by biological activity, and to a smaller extent by geological processes such as some hydrothermal reactions.
The two instruments tasked with this role have now demonstrated they can take highly sensitive spectra of the atmosphere. During the test observations last week, the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite focused on carbon dioxide, which makes up a large volume of the planet's atmosphere, while the Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery instrument homed in on water.
They also coordinated observations with ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, as they will in the future.
First look at the atmosphere
Complementary measurements by the orbiter’s neutron detector, FREND, will measure the flow of neutrons from the planet’s surface. Created by the impact of cosmic rays, the way in which they are emitted and their speed on arriving at TGO points to the composition of the surface layer, in particular to water or ice just below the surface.
The instrument has been active at various times during the cruise to Mars and on recent occasions while flying close to the surface could identify the relative difference between regions of known higher and lower neutron flux, although it will take several months to produce statistically significant results.
Similarly, the instrument showed a clear increase in neutron detections when close to Mars compared to when it was further away.
First detection of atmospheric carbon dioxide
The different capabilities of the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System were also demonstrated, with 11 images captured during the first close flyby on 22 November.
At closest approach the spacecraft was 235 km from the surface, and flying over the Hebes Chasma region, just north of the Valles Marineris canyon system. These are some of the closest images that will ever be taken of the planet by TGO, given that the spacecraft’s final orbit will be at around 400 km altitude.
First ExoMars stereo reconstruction
The camera team also completed a quick first test of producing a 3D reconstruction of a region in Noctis Labyrinthus, from a stereo pair of images.
Although the images are impressively sharp, data collected during this test period will help to improve the camera’s onboard software as well as the quality of the images after processing.
“We are extremely happy and proud to see that all the instruments are working so well in the Mars environment, and this first impression gives a fantastic preview of what’s to come when we start collecting data for real at the end of next year,” says Håkan Svedhem, ESA’s TGO Project Scientist.
First neutron flux measurements
“Not only is the spacecraft itself clearly performing well, but I am delighted to see the various teams working together so effectively in order to give us this impressive insight.
Mars close-up
“We have identified areas that can be fine-tuned well in advance of the main science mission, and we look forward to seeing what this amazing science orbiter will do in the future.”
ExoMars science orbit 1
Notes for Editors:
More information about the imaging campaign is available in the University of Bern’s press release “CaSSIS sends first images from Mars orbit”: http://www.unibe.ch/news/media_news/media_relations_e/media_releases/2016_e/media_releases_2016/cassis_sends_first_images_from_mars_orbit/index_eng.html
More information about NOMAD’s first observations is available via the press release “NOMAD's first view of the martian atmosphere”: http://aeronomie.be/en/news-press/2016-11-28-nomad-first-results.htm
More information about ACS and FREND’s observations are available via the IKI ExoMars website (in russian): http://exomars.cosmos.ru/
A graphic summarising when the TGO instruments were operating during the 20–24 November orbit is provided above.
Related links:
Robotic exploration of Mars: http://exploration.esa.int/
ExoMars Factsheet: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_Factsheet
ExoMars frequently asked questions: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_frequently_asked_questions
ExoMars brochure: http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Publications/ESA_Publications_Brochures/ESA_BR-327_EXOMARS_2016
Mars Express: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express
Roscosmos: http://en.federalspace.ru/
ExoMars at IKI: http://exomars.cosmos.ru/
Thales Alenia Space: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/space
NASA In 2016 ExoMars orbiter (Electra radio): http://mars.nasa.gov/programmissions/missions/future/exomarsorbiter2016/
Where on Mars?: http://whereonmars.co/
ExoMars for broadcasters: http://www.esa.int/esatv/Transmissions/2016/10/ExoMars_at_Mars_live_coverage
Images, Graphics, Video, Text, Credits: ESA/Roscosmos/ExoMars/CaSSIS/UniBE; mosaicking tool: AutoStitch (University of British Columbia)/NOMAD/BISA/IAA/INAF/OU/ACS/IKI/FREND/ESA ExoMars TGO Project Scientist/Håkan Svedhem/ESA Science and Robotic Exploration Communication Officer/Markus Bauer.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
