MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING
OF MARTIAN CRYOLITOZONE AND SUBSURFACE WATER
"MARSENS".

A study of Martian surface characteristics using microwave remote sensing technique at S-L-P bands (6-100 cm wavelengths) is suggested. The method is based on measurements of radar backscattering and brightness temperature variations induced by subsurface temperature, moisture, porosity and surface roughness changes. At the same time a spatial distribution of permafrost and ice-water fractions in the martian medium can be investigated. This new data are a need to the creation of martian global change model, definition of the main physical parameters of martian cryolitozone and estimation of subsurface water content.

To realize of space experiment it should be apply various Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) at L-P band and passive one- (or two-) channel microwave (scanning) radiometer at S-L bands (SCANRAD). For example, it may be planned to perform a joint mission as a part of the "Shuttle Radar Lab" Program of NASA/JPL. For passive microwave imagery the range is 8 (6) - 21 (18) cm wavelengths and swath width may be 50 - 100 km. Combine active-passive microwave long-time observations are conducted along the route of the "Martian Orbital Station".

In situ studies of martian cryolitozone by geo-radar sounding more detail description in International Program "MARSES".

The following new scientific results concerning with martian nature can be obtain due to combine active-passive microwave observations of martian surface: (a) distribution of large-scale surface roughness; (b) temperature, moisture and porosity global distributions on martian subsurface; (c) the soil integrate content, degree of salt solutions mineralization and water-liquid content of subsurface layer; (d) morphology of martian cryolitozine in the polar and other regions; (e) improvement of the martian global change model including climatic and geological phenomena.

Dr. Victor Raizer
Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Post Address:          Profsojusnaja, 84/32
                       117810, Moscow, Russia
E-mail:                vraizer@esoc1.iki.rssi.ru
Fax:                   7-095-333-3177
Dr. Yuri Ozorovich"
Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Post Address:          Profsojusnaja, 84/32
                       117810, Moscow, Russia
E-mail:                yozorovi@mx.iki.rssi.ru
Fax:                   7-095-333-3177 /233-1652/