
Scientists in the Planetary Systems Laboratory have participated in the scientific results from several spacecraft orbiting Mars, either as Co-Investigators, Participating Scientists, or by analyzing mission data through the Mars Data Analysis Program. These missions include the Mars Global Surveyor, the Mars Odyssey, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The scientific role of Laboratory scientists has included the analysis of atmospheric infrared spectra, and radio science data. Laboratory scientists specifically monitored the density of Mars' upper atmosphere during the aerobraking phase for all three of these missions. Because the upper atmospheric density strongly affects the process of stabilizing the orbit via aerobraking, participation by scientists in our Laboratory was crucial for these missions. Scientists involved in this research include Michael Flasar, William Maguire, John Pearl and Michael Smith.
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