Mars Relay (MR)

Objectives:

The Mars Relay Will Relay Data from Lander Packages Placed by Future Mars Missions Via a UHF Radio Link:

1. To Obtain Images of Very Small Scale Surface Features to Measure the Size Distribution of the Mars Surface and the Physical Processes which Yield this Distribution
2. To Provide In Situ Measurements of the Martian Meteorology
3. To Collect High-Resolution Measurements of Selected Geophysical Parameters
4. To Provide "Ground Truth" Values to Aide Interpretation of Remote Sensing Instrument Data

Instrumentation:

A UHF Radio Relay and antenna, which will support future landed Instrumentation Including cameras, altimeters, meteorological packages, IR spectrometer, magnetometer, nephelometer, inductive sounder, gamma-ray spectrometer, pulse radar, accelerometer, tensometers and dosimeters.

Measurements:

• Receives Telemetry from Landed Instrument Packages Including Cameras, Atmospheric and Meteorology Instruments
• Antenna: Quadrifilar Helix Fiberglass Mast
• FOV: Limb to Limb
• Electronics:
  • Uses MOC buffer for Data Return
  • Performs One Way Doppler Ranging on Received Signal
  • Data Rate (RF Link): 8 and 128 kilobits/sec
• Transmit Frequency (to Stations): 437.1 MHz at 1.3 W
• Receive Frequency (from Stations): 401.5 MHz, 405.6 MHz

Science Team

J. Blamont, CNES - Principal Interface