Showing papers by "Stephan Ulamec published in 2006"

GEP-Exomars: A Geophysics and Environment Observatory on Mars

Abstract: Introduction: The goal of the Long-Lived Geoscience Observatory on Mars, GEP (Geophysics and Environmental Package) is to complent the exobiological investigations by PASTEUR (the ExoMars rover payload) with longterm geophysical measurements. It will be be precursor mission for a setup of a permanent network of fixed stations on the planet, with the objective to operate for several (≥6) years. GEP will monitor with high resolution the seismic activity and the rotation of the planet, the magnetic field and its variations. It will measure the heat flux of the planetand monitor and study the environmental conditions (meteorology and atmospheric electric fields). By providing new geophysical models of Mars ́ interior as well as the actual geologic activity of the surface (heat flow, seismic activity), GEP will provide a major step in our understanding of the geological evolution of the planet and the habitability conditions during the first billion years. In addition, GEP will monitor the present Martian climate and meteorology, will provide a unique data set on potential hazards for future human exploration missions (radiation, atmospheric electricity, dust storms) and will perform high resolution characterization of the Martian surface.