The M-MATISSE mission: Mars Magnetosphere ATmosphere Ionosphere and Space weather SciencE. An ESA Medium class (M7) candidate in Phase-A.
Résumé
The "Mars Magnetosphere ATmosphere Ionosphere and Space-weather SciencE (M-MATISSE)" mission is an ESA Medium class (M7) candidate currently in Phase A study by the European Space Agency (ESA) (Figure 1). M-MATISSE's main scientific goal is to unravel the complex and dynamic couplings of the Martian Magnetosphere, Ionosphere and Thermosphere (M-I-T coupling) with relation to the Solar Wind (i.e. space weather) and the lower atmosphere, and the processes leading to this coupling, which are highly entangled between several regions of the system (Figure 2). The M-I-T coupling controls the dissipation of incoming energy from the solar wind, and therefore, the evolution of Mars' atmosphere and climate (including atmospheric escape, auroral processes, and incoming radiation). Moreover, understanding the behavior of Mars' M-I-T system and of the chain of processes that control Space Weather and Space Climate at Mars, as well as the radiation environment, is essential for exploration as it leads to accurate Space Weather forecasts and, thus, prevents hazardous situations for spacecraft and humans.
Domaines
Planète et Univers [physics]Origine | Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s) |
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