Mars Express science highlights and future plans
Abstract
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.
Origin : Files produced by the author(s)
