Mars Dynamics, Atmospheric and Surface Properties: Determination from Viking Tracking Data

Michael, W. H.; Mayo, A. P.; Blackshear, W. T.; Tolson, R. H.; Kelly, G. M.; Brenkle, J. P.; Cain, D. L.; Fjeldbo, G.; Sweetnam, D. N.; Goldstein, R.; MacNeil, P. E.; Reasenberg, R. D.; Shapiro, I. I.; Boak, T. I. S.; Grossi, M. D.; Tang, C. H.

doi:10.1126/science.194.4271.1337

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Cited by 18 publications

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1979

The Moon and the Planets

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The analysis of water in the Martian regolith

Anderson

Tice

1979

J Mol Evol

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One of the scientific objectives of the Viking Mission to Mars was to accomplish an analysis of water in the Martian regolith. The analytical scheme originally envisioned was severely compromised in the latter stages of the Lander instrument package design. Nevertheless, a crude soil water analysis was accomplished. Samples from each of the two widely separated sites yielded roughly 1 to 3% water by weight when heated successively to several temperatures up to 500 degrees C. A significant portion of this water was released in the 200 degrees to 350 degrees C interval indicating the presence of mineral hydrates of relatively low thermal stability, a finding in keeping with the low temperatures generally prevailing on Mars. The presence of a duricrust at one of the Lander sites is taken as possible evidence for the presence of hygroscopic minerals on Mars. The demonstrated presence of atmospheric water vapor and thermodynamic calculations lead to the belief that adsorbed water could provide a relatively favorable environment for endolithic organisms on Mars similar to types recently discovered in the dry antarctic deserts.

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Mars Dynamics, Atmospheric and Surface Properties: Determination from Viking Tracking Data

Cited by 18 publications

References 6 publications

3.2.1.2 Dimensions and mechanical properties, rotation of the planets

3.2.1.2 Dimensions and mechanical properties, rotation of the planets

Viking lander tracking contributions to mars mapping

The analysis of water in the Martian regolith

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