Mars Express - Mission to Mars

ASPERA - Energetic Neutral Atoms Analyser

ASPERA will study how the solar winds interact with the Martian atmosphere in an attempt to throw light on how the water vapour and other gases have escaped from the planet.

HRSC - High/Super Resolution Stereo Colour Imager

The HRSC is a stereoscopic camera that will photograph the martian surface to reveal detail as small as 2m. The images will be used to produce a geological map showing the location of different minerals and rock types.

MaRS - Mars Radio Science Experiment

MaRS will use radio waves to measure local variations in gravity over the surface of Mars and pressure and temperature profiles of the atmosphere.

MARSIS - Subsurface Sounding Radar / Altimeter

The primary objective of MARSIS is to map the distribution of water and ice in the upper layers of the Martian crust. Using techniques similar to those used to find oil on earth, the instrument will analyse reflections of radio waves in the upper 2-3km of the Martian crust to reveal the sub-surface structure.

OMEGA - IR Mineralogical Mapping Spectrometer

By analysing sunlight reflected from the Martian surface and heat radiation emitted from the planet, Omega will determine the mineral content of the surface and molecular content of the atmosphere. This will help scientists understand the role played by water in the evolution of Mars.

PFS - Planetary Fourier Spectrometer PFS will examine the atmospheric distribution of water vapour and other minor constituents with greater accuracy than previous missions.

SPICAM - UK and IR Atmospheric Spectrometer

Like the PFS instrument, SPICAM will also measure the composition of the Martian atmosphere but in smaller volumes. It will also use the technique of stellar occultation to measure the vertical profiles of carbon dioxide, temperature, ozone, aerosols and clouds.

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