Project description
Understanding the role of dust and clouds on Mars
Dust is present everywhere on Mars, yet its impacts on the composition, structure and dynamics of the atmosphere are not well known. Accurate knowledge of dust and clouds is essential to interpret the remote sensing observations in the infrared and ultraviolet spectral regions. The EU-funded ROADMAP project will improve our understanding of the role of dust and clouds in the Martian atmosphere. It will use an integrated scientific approach combining laboratory experiments, modelling of specific phenomena, analysis of space data and global circulation modelling. In addition to improving our vision of the Martian atmosphere, ROADMAP will deliver high-level data, increase the science return of previous and current missions, and help define future planetary missions.
Objective
The goal of the ROADMAP project is to better understand the role and impact of dust and clouds on the Martian atmosphere. Although dust is present throughout the Martian atmosphere, its abundance and physical properties are still poorly defined. Similarly the impact of dust on the composition, structure and dynamics of the atmosphere is only beginning to be addressed. Specifically, accurate knowledge of the characteristics of dust and ice clouds is crucial for the interpretation of the remote sensing observations, both in the infrared and the ultraviolet spectral regions. The ROADMAP project employs an integrated scientific approach including; laboratory simulations, modelling of specific phenomena, analysis of space data and Global Circulation Modelling. This will improve our vision of the Martian atmosphere and provide a new generation of high-level data, increasing the science return of the past and current missions to Mars as well as shaping future planetary missions.
We will focus on two European missions which are still active around the Red Planet and in particular make use of the ExoMars TGO instrument NOMAD, which has been optimized for the detection of trace gases, dust and clouds in the Martian atmosphere.
This project is therefore both timely and highly relevant to the SPACE-30-SCI-2020 call by addressing scientific data exploitation and the objective of increasing the science return of specific European space missions.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
1180 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium