Introduction: The Mariner 6 and 7 (1969), Mariner 9 (1971), and Viking 1 and 2 (1975) missions provided the first quantitative details about the structure and energetics of the Mars atmosphere [1-8]. These limited data sets supplied the observational foundation for the current semiempirical reference atmospheric models [2, 10-13]. Not until more than 20 years later did new generations of lander...

Modeling and mapping of soil properties has been identified as key for effective land degradation management and mitigation. The ability to model and map soil properties at sufficient accuracy for a large agriculture area is demonstrated using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery. Soil samples were collected in the El-Tina Plain, Sinai, Egypt, concurren...

Introduction: Phosphate is among the nutrients considered critical for all known life [1-4]. The ion is a component in ATP, DNA, RNA, phospholipid cell membranes and required in numerous fundamental biochemical reactions [5]. Phosphorus, either as phosphate or a more reduced species such as phosphite, is also considered crucial in pre-biotic reactions that may have led to the origin of life on ...

In this paper a novel paradigm for Mars missions is modeled, optimized, and assessed. This concept consists of maneuver that combines aerocapture ballistic capture upon arrival, labeled aeroballistic capture. The idea reducing the overall cost mass by exploiting interaction with planet atmosphere as well complex sun–Mars gravitational field. first formulated. then split into number phases, each...

Inferred wind-related modifications of impact craters are observed in the vicinity of the Mars Pathfinder (MPF) site and in other regions of Mars. Mars Obiter Camera (MOC) images show three types of inferred wind-modified morphologies for craters 0.3–1 km in diameter. Such modifications could be related to seasonal variations of the strongest winds and a possible paleowind regime. Geomorphic ma...

[1] We have analyzed a brief period of same‐day observations of the Martian ionosphere using data obtained in December 2004 from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and Mars Express (MEX) radio occultation experiments. These data were taken shortly after sunrise under solstice conditions in both hemispheres, with MGS in the summer (northern) hemisphere at high latitudes while MEX was in the winter (...