Global Database of GSSR Mars Delay-Doppler Radar Observations: Analysis for Landing Site Characterization and Rover Trafficability

Earth-based radar data remain an important part of the information set used to select and certify spacecraft landing sites on Mars. Constraints on robotic landings on Mars include: terrain elevation, radar reflectivity, regional and local slopes, rock distribution and coverage, and surface roughness, all of which are addressed by radar data. Indeed, the usefulness of radar data for Mars exploration has been demonstrated in the past. Radar data were critical in assessing the Viking Lander 1 site, and more recently, the Mars Pathfinder landing site.