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Mars-GRAM Applications for Mars Science Laboratory Mission Site Selection ProcessesAn overview is presented of the Mars-Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Mars-GRAM 2005) and its new features. One important new feature is the "auxiliary profile" option, whereby a simple input file is used to replace mean atmospheric values from Mars-GRAM's conventional (General Circulation Model) climatology. An auxiliary profile can be generated from any source of data or alternate model output. Results are presented using auxiliary profiles produced from mesoscale model output (Southwest Research Institute's Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS) model and Oregon State University's Mars mesoscale model (MMM5) model) for three candidate Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landing sites (Terby Crater, Melas Chasma, and Gale Crater). A global Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) database has also been generated for purposes of making 'Mars-GRAM auxiliary profiles. This data base contains averages and standard deviations of temperature, density, and thermal wind components, averaged over 5-by-5 degree latitude bins and 15 degree L(sub S) bins, for each of three Mars years of TES nadir data. Comparisons show reasonably good consistency between Mars-GRAM with low dust optical depth and both TES observed and mesoscale model simulated density at the three study sites. Mean winds differ by a more significant degree. Comparisons of mesoscale and TES standard deviations' with conventional Mars-GRAM values, show that Mars-GRAM density perturbations are somewhat conservative (larger than observed variability), while mesoscale-modeled wind variations are larger than Mars-GRAM model estimates. Input parameters rpscale (for density perturbations) and rwscale (for wind perturbations) can be used to "recalibrate" Mars-GRAM perturbation magnitudes to better replicate observed or mesoscale model variability.
Document ID
20090028712
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Justh, Hilary
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Justus, C. G.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
July 9, 2007
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
MSFC-356
Meeting Information
Meeting: Seventh International Conference on Mars
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 9, 2007
End Date: July 13, 2007
Sponsors: California Inst. of Tech.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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