Mars Wind Currents Reveal a Surprising Feature - Animations

MAVEN observes upper level Martian winds over the course of about two years. MAVEN is the first spacecraft specifically designed to study the Mars upper atmosphere, in order to better understand the evolution of its climate. These visualizations show MAVEN measuring the Martian upper level wind direction and magnitude over a series of thirty-three campaigns. In order for MAVEN to make these in-situ measurements, the spacecraft must be close to the upper atmosphere. The closest point of MAVEN s orbit precesses around Mars over the course of about 1.5 years. MAVEN observes changes in wind direction due to orographic (mountainous) gravity waves, propagating upward from the high-altitude Tharsis region. This closing shot depicts MAVEN acquiring upper level wind data during campaign #18.

Aerobraking plan for MAVEN. (left) Current MAVEN orbit around Mars — 6200-km highest altitude, and an orbit period of ~4.5 hours. (center) Aerobraking process — MAVEN performs a series of “deep dip” orbits approaching to within ~125 km of Mars at lowest altitude, causing drag from the atmosphere slow down the spacecraft. Over roughly three-hundred and sixty orbits spanning about two months, this slowing reduces the spacecraft’s highest altitude to ~4500 km and its orbit period to ~3.5 hours. (right) Post-aerobraking orbit, with reduced altitude and shorter orbit period. In February 2019, MAVEN began an aerobraking campaign to tighten its orbit around Mars. When the campaign finishes in late April, MAVEN s ability to relay data from rovers on the surface of Mars, while also continuing to carry out its science objectives by studying the Mars upper atmosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. Aerobraking plan for MAVEN. (left) Current MAVEN orbit around Mars — 6200-km highest altitude, and an orbit period of ~4.5 hours. (center) Aerobraking process — MAVEN performs a series of “deep dip” orbits approaching to within ~125 km of Mars at lowest altitude, causing drag from the atmosphere slow down the spacecraft. Over roughly three-hundred and sixty orbits spanning about two months, this slowing reduces the spacecraft’s highest altitude to ~4500 km and its orbit period to ~3.5 hours. (right) Post-aerobraking orbit, with reduced altitude and shorter orbit period. This version has no labels.

MAVEN Deep Dip Animation NASA s orbit is lowered to only 125 km at closest approach, dipping into the upper atmosphere to study it in situ.This animation depicts MAVEN maneuvering from its normal science orbit to the deep dip orbit and back. The animation is available for download in broadcast-quality HD and can be looped. MAVEN Deep Dip Textless