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Update to Strategy for Exploration of the Inner Planets (1990) / Chapter Skim
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6 Mars
Pages 20-24

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From page 20...
... A broad picture of the evolution of the planet's surface since about 4 billion years ago has emerged, but there are stall major uncertainties concerning the events in the earliest history of Mars;, and about the nature and timing of specific geologic processes since then. Some of these include the mechanisms responsible for the global crustal dichotomy, the tectonic history within and outside of the Tharsis region, the chronicling of erosional processes, and the role and history of water in forming channel systems on the older and on younger terrains.
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From page 21...
... In conjunction with chemical analysis of the surface materials, these data also constrain the history of the near-surface deposits. The distribution and properties of materials within the near-surface layer have also been mapped using thermal infrared and Earth-based radar remote sensing data and imaging observations of variable features.
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From page 22...
... The committee notes, however, that a decade later the unexpected sensitivity and spatial and; spectral resolution of several types of instruments are such that certain orbital measurements are capable of providing information on a local surface scale that bears on some aspects of this objective. As described in the 1978 report, the detailed analysis of surface materials involved samples to be collected from a region within easy reach of a landed vehicle.
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From page 23...
... Measurements made by several instruments were relevant to a better understanding of atmospheric and surface properties and composition, primarily in the equatorial regions, and have provided data on the Martian magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. Although these data have not been completely analyzed, it is unlikely, due to the short mission lifetime and limited geographic extent of observations, that any of the major goals outlined in the 1978 report were completely addressed.
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From page 24...
... COMPLEX therefore recommends 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. Last update 9/26/00 at 2:29 pm Site managed by Anne Simmons, Space Studies Board Site managed by the SSB Web Group.
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Key Terms

  • martian surface
  • sample return
  • mars observer
  • solar wind
  • layered terrain

  • magnetic field
  • global distribution
  • global crustal
  • global chemical
  • global dust

  • surface materials
  • primary scientific
  • major advances
  • upper atmosphere
  • observer mission

  • soviet phobos
  • report involved
  • geologic history
  • landed vehicle
  • martian magnetosphere

  • martian aeolian
  • local studies
  • viking observations
  • surface winds
  • major goals

  • viking lander
  • surface material
  • major uncertainties
  • board site
  • viking orbiter


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