The beginning of a multi-spacecraft exploration in Martian space by China, the US and Europe

This study is led by Dr. Prof. Yong Wei and Dr. Kai Fan from Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGGCAS). Authors and their colleagues from the National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Max-Planck-Institute for Solar System Research, the Sun Yat-Sen University, and the Peking University have developed a comprehensive method, which include the noise reduction and the calculation of the plasma moments, to derive the solar wind parameters from the Tianwen-1 observations provided by the Chinese Planet Exploration Program Scientific Data Release System. One aspiration of the Tianwen-1 mission is to disclose Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
s between Martian ion escape processes and their consequences for Martian paleoclimate. Previously, the results based on former Martian missions suggest that the ion escape rate accounts for a few centimeters thickness of global water on average.

However, there is a burst of ion losses observed during the periods of enhanced solar activity. To better understand the impact of solar activity on the Martian paleoclimate, the simultaneous observation of the upstream solar wind and the Martian space would be essential.

The Tianwen-1 consists of three components: an orbiter, a lander, and the Zhurong rover. MINPA instrument onboard the orbiter is designed to detect ions and energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) in the Martian space. MINPA can distinguish several different species of ions, such as H+, He+, O+, O2+, and CO2+, and resolve proton and oxygen atoms from ENAs measurements.

MINPA provides ion data in the energy range of 2.8 eV to 25.9 keV, with the highest sampling cadence of 4 seconds. From October 2020 to January 2021, on the journey to Mars, MINPA monitored solar wind plasma from 25,765,773 to 3,559,077 kilometers upstream of Mars.

Meanwhile, MAVEN and Mars Express conducted plasma measurements in the Martian space. The simultaneous observations from Tianwen-1, MAVEN, and Mars Express fulfilled the long-awaited multi-mission joint survey of Mars of the international academic community.

Research team found that during the cruise phase of Tianwen-1, MINPA finished its first 3-months of measurements and accumulated unique solar wind plasma data from 31 October 2020 to 25 January 2021. As illustrated in, the differential energy fluxes of the solar wind show several strong enhancements, indicating that Tianwen-1 encounters several large-scale solar wind disturbances mainly corresponding to the stream interaction regions (SIRs).

The researchers also derived solar wind velocity, which suggests the good performance of the MINPA instrument. Even though the lander and the rover sheltered part of the instrument's field of view during the cruise phase, the solar wind plasma from MINPA onboard Tianwen-1 showed a consistent tendency with that from OMNI, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission, and the Mars Express.

In November 2021, MINPA started its second long-term measurement of ions and ENAs in the Martian space. At the same time, MAVEN and Mars Express will continue to monitor the Martian space environment. In the coming Martian years, the joint observation from Tianwen-1, MAVEN, and Mars Express would bring new opportunities for studying the evolution of the Martian atmosphere and the evolutionary history of the Martian paleoclimate.

Research Report:The solar wind plasma upstream of Mars observed by Tianwen-1: Comparison with Mars Express and MAVEN

Related Links
Chinese Planet Exploration Program Scientific Data Release System
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Chinese Space Program - News, Policy and Technology
China News from SinoDaily.com

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Tianwen-1 mission marks first year on Mars
Beijing (XNA) May 17, 2022
It has been a year since China's Tianwen-1 probe reached Mars. The mission has not only marked an important step in the country's interplanetary exploration but has also made a number of achievements in that time. The Tianwen-1 probe consists of an orbiter, a lander and a rover. On May 15, 2021, it touched down at its pre-selected landing area in Utopia Planitia, a vast Martian plain, marking the first time that China has landed a probe on the planet. A week later on May 22, 2021, the Mars r ... read more