The science case for a modern, multi-wavelength, polarization-sensitive LIDAR in orbit around Mars

Abstract

We present the scientific case to build a multiple-wavelength, active, near-infrared (NIR) instrument to measure the reflected intensity and polarization characteristics of backscattered radiation from planetary surfaces and atmospheres. We focus on the ability of such an instrument to enhance, perhaps revolutionize, our understanding of climate, volatiles and astrobiological potential of modern-day Mars.

25 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables

References in corpus (6)

• Spectral Curve Fitting for Automatic Hyperspectral Data Analysis
• CRISM south polar mapping: First Mars year of observations
• The MARTE VNIR Imaging Spectrometer Experiment: Design and Analysis
• Louth Crater: Evolution of a layered water ice mound
• Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) north polar springtime recession mapping: First Three Mars years of observations
• Equivalence relations for Mueller matrix symmetries of laboratory, LIDAR and planetary scattering geometries

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Martian north polar cap summer water cycle
• The Reflectivity of Mars at 1064 nm: Derivation from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter Data and Application to Climatology and Meteorology
• Equivalence relations for Mueller matrix symmetries of laboratory, LIDAR and planetary scattering geometries
• Correlations of atmospheric water ice and dust in the Martian Polar regions
• Quantification of summertime water ice deposition on the Martian north polar ice cap