Mars Micro Orbiter (MMO) is a spacecraft mission concept that would place a small and inexpensive satellite in orbit around the planet

Mars Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System, only being larger than Mercury. In the English language, Mars is named for the Roman god of war. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin at ...

to study some aspects of the

Mars atmosphere The atmosphere of Mars is the layer of gases surrounding Mars. It is primarily composed of carbon dioxide (95%), molecular nitrogen (2.8%), and argon (2%). It also contains trace levels of water vapor, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and n ...

in visible and infrared wavelengths. The orbiter study will undergo a preliminary design review in March 2018, potentially launching as a secondary payload on another mission in 2020.

Overview

In April 2015, NASA's Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program requested proposals for interplanetary

CubeSat A CubeSat is a class of miniaturized satellite based around a form factor consisting of cubes. CubeSats have a mass of no more than per unit, and often use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for their electronics and structure. CubeSats ...

investigations, and received 22 submissions.NASA's Space Cubes: Small Satellites Provide Big Payoffs
Brian Dunbar ''NASA TV''. 8 September 2015. The MMO was not selected for launch, but in 2017 it was awarded grants In 2015, the concept considered a 6U CubeSat with potential to also serve as an orbital communication relay for Mars surface-based missions,NASA Mars exploration efforts turn to operating existing missions and planning sample return
Jeff Foust, ''SpaceNews''. 23 February 2018. that is about 16 kg, and measuring 20×20×30 cm. The orbiter study will undergo a preliminary design review in March 2018, potentially launching as a secondary payload on another mission in 2020. The Principal Investigator is Michael Malin, from

Malin Space Science Systems Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) is a San Diego, California-based private technology company that designs, develops, and operates instruments and technical equipment to fly on unmanned spacecraft. MSSS is headed by chief scientist and CEO Mich ...

Objectives

The MMO would study the

in visible and infrared wavelengths from Mars orbit. The science measurements include: *atmospheric thermal structure, dust and condensate clouds, and seasonal and perennial

polar cap Polar may refer to: Geography Polar may refer to: * Geographical pole, either of two fixed points on the surface of a rotating body or planet, at 90 degrees from the equator, based on the axis around which a body rotates * Polar climate, the c ...

behavior. *characterize the dynamics and energy budget of the current Mars atmosphere. *support present and future Mars missions. *help characterize present-day

habitability Habitability refers to the adequacy of an environment for human living. Where housing is concerned, there are generally local ordinances which define habitability. If a residence complies with those laws it is said to be habitable. In extreme e ...

. *potential to provide orbital communication relay for Mars surface-based missions.

References

Attached spacecraft CubeSats Missions to Mars Proposed NASA space probes {{US-spacecraft-stub

Overview

Objectives

See also

References