Scientific objectives and payloads of Tianwen-1, China’s first Mars exploration mission

Zou, Yongliao; Zhu, Yan; Yang, Bai; Wang, Lianguo; Jia, Yingzhuo; Shen, W. H.; Fan, Yun; Liu, Yang; Wang, Chi; Zhang, Aibing; Yu, Guangwei; Dong, Junping; Shu, Rong; He, Zhiping; Zhang, Tielong; Du, Aimin; Mingyi, Fan; Yang, Jianfeng; Zhou, Bin; Wang, Yi; Yongqing, Peng

doi:10.1016/j.asr.2020.11.005

Cited by 165 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…It is helpful to study Martian sciences such as Martian internal structure by radio measurements [30][31][32][33]. Tianwen-1 is the first Chinese deep probe to Mars for Martian science research, which was launched on 23 July 2020 [34]. The CDSS supports the navigation mission of Tianwen-1.…”

Section: Signal Processing Results Of Tianwen-1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrieving Doppler Frequency via Local Correlation Method of Segmented Modeling

et al. 2021

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The high accuracy radio Doppler frequency is critical for navigating a deep space probe and for planetary radio science experiments. In this paper, we propose a novel method based on the local correlation of segmented modeling to retrieve Doppler frequency by processing an open-loop radio link signal from one single ground station. Simulations are implemented, which prove the validity of this method. Mars Express (MEX) and Tianwen-1 observation experiments were carried out by Chinese Deep Space Stations (CDSS). X-band Doppler frequency observables were retrieved by the proposed method to participate in orbit determination. The results show that the accuracy of velocity residuals of orbit determination in open-loop mode is from 0.043 mm/s to 0.061 mm/s in 1 s integration; the average accuracy of Doppler frequency is about 3.3 mHz in 1 s integration and about 0.73 mHz in 60 s integration. The Doppler accuracy here is better than that of the digital baseband receiver at CDSS. The algorithm is efficient and flexible when the deep space probe is in a high dynamic mode and in low signal to noise ratio (SNR). This will benefit Chinese deep space exploration missions and planetary radio science experiments.

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Section: Signal Processing Results Of Tianwen-1mentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrieving Doppler Frequency via Local Correlation Method of Segmented Modeling

et al. 2021

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“…The Zhurong rover was released after the Tianwen-1 probe landed on the surface of Mars. It is expected that the Zhurong rover will work on the Martian surface for at least 92 sols, and the rover will focus on high-resolution and in situ detection of key regions on Mars [37]. Mars is far from the Sun and has less solar radiation, which limits the power generation capacity of solar panels on board the rover.…”

Section: The Prediction Of Solar Panel Clearing Recurrence Intervalmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Preliminary Study of Dust Devil Tracks in Southern Utopia Planitia, Landing Area of Tianwen-1 Mission

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2021

Remote Sensing

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China’s first Mars exploration mission (Tianwen-1) landed on the southern part of Mars’ Utopia Planitia on 15 May 2021. The Zhurong rover will focus on high-resolution and in situ observations of key areas on the surface of Mars. Dust devils (DDs) are heat-driven vortices that lift material from the surface and inject it into the atmosphere. The dark or bright surface lineaments left by DDs are called dust devil tracks (DDTs). Dust devils can clear dust from solar panels deposited by gusts and dust storms. Therefore, it is of importance to study the encounter rates of dust devils at the Tianwen-1 landing site for achieving the rover’s long-term scientific goals. Based on High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context Camera (CTX) images, 248 newly formed DDTs in 12 image pairs were firstly identified, and their lengths, widths, and direction in the study area were measured. The distribution of their width frequency follows a −2 differential power law. Secondly, DDT formation rates were computed and analyzed with the range of 0.00006 to 0.1275 ddt km−2 sol−1, mainly affected by factors such as seasons and dust storm occurrence. Thirdly, the solar panel clearing recurrence interval derived from the orbital data in our study area was calculated from ~980 to 166,700 sols. The dust storm occurrence probability at the Tianwen-1 landing area is less than 3%, and there is a special anti-dust coating on board the Zhurong rover. Thus, the Zhurong rover can be considered competent for scientific exploration.

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“…The rover is designed with an expected 90 sols (Martian days) lifetime, and can travel on the Martian surface at a speed of about 200 m per hour. The scientific objectives of the rover include: (1) investigation of topography and geological structure of the roving area, (2) surveying of the soil structure of the roving area and searching for water ice, (3)analysis of elements, minerals and rock types of the roving area, and (4) investigation of physical characteristics of the atmosphere and the surface environment of the roving area (Zou et al., 2021). Table 1 lists the general engineering requirements for considering possible landing regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lander/rover will perform a soft landing on the Martian surface 2-3 months after the arrival of the probe, and the orbiter will remain in orbit to provide a relay communication link to the rover while performing its own scientific observations (Wan et al, 2020). With the scientific payloads onboard both the orbiter and rover, Tianwen-1 will investigate the Martian surface and sub-surface for its scientific objectives including: (1) the mapping of the morphology and geological structure, (2) the investigation of the surface soil characteristics and water-ice distribution, (3) the analysis of the surface material composition, (4) the measurement of the ionosphere and the characteristics of the Martian climate and environment, and (5) the analysis of the physical fields and internal structure of Mars (Wan et al, 2020;Zou et al, 2021). Grant et al (2018) and Pajola et al (2019), the identification of a Mars landing site is a complex process that involves both engineering safety and scientific importance.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Characterization of the Candidate Landing Region for Tianwen‐1—China's First Mission to Mars

Dong

Wang

et al. 2021

Earth and Space Science

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This paper presents our efforts to characterize the candidate landing region (109°–133°E, 23°–30°N) for Tianwen‐1, China's first mission to Mars, in terms of engineering safety and scientific significance. Topographic analysis reveals that the region has a low elevation around −4,230 m, and 98% of the region have slopes smaller than 8°. The geomorphological mapping and analysis show that the region has an average crater density of about 28 craters (≥200 m in diameter) per 100 square kilometers, with several clusters of high crater densities distributed around the center of the region. There are also pitted cones distributed mainly in the southern part of the region, with a density of approximately 6.6 cones per 100 square kilometers in specific local areas. The region has rock abundances ranging from 1% to 23%, with local clusters of low and high rock abundances. The region comprises four main geological units, including a lowland unit formed in the Late Hesperian and a volcanic unit formed in the Amazonian and Hesperian period. Their specific surface ages are estimated through the analysis of crater size‐frequency distribution. Combining the engineering constraints on surface slopes, crater density, cone density, and rock abundance, a hazard map of the candidate landing region is generated for landing site evaluation and safety assessment. Based on the results, we further discuss the potential scientific outcomes from the exploration in this region. The findings will be helpful for the mission planning and maximization of the scientific return from Tianwen‐1, and complement existing Martian scientific research.

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Scientific objectives and payloads of Tianwen-1, China’s first Mars exploration mission

Cited by 165 publications

References 5 publications

Retrieving Doppler Frequency via Local Correlation Method of Segmented Modeling

Retrieving Doppler Frequency via Local Correlation Method of Segmented Modeling

The Preliminary Study of Dust Devil Tracks in Southern Utopia Planitia, Landing Area of Tianwen-1 Mission

Characterization of the Candidate Landing Region for Tianwen‐1—China's First Mission to Mars

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