Overview of the Martian atmospheric submillimetre sounder FIRE

We propose a submillimetre-wave atmospheric emission sounding instrument, called Far-InfraRed Experiment (FIRE), for the Japanese Martian exploration programme “Mars Exploration with Lander-Orbiter Synergy” (MELOS). The scientific target of FIRE/MELOS is to understand the dust suspended meteorology of the Mars. FIRE will provide key meteorological parameters, such as atmospheric temperature profiles for outside and inside dust storms, the abundance profile of the atmospheric compositions and their isotopes, and wind velocity profiles. FIRE will also provide the local time dependency of these parameters. The observational sensitivity of FIRE/MELOS is discussed in this paper. FIRE will explore the meteorological system of the Martian atmosphere including the interaction between its surface and atmosphere.

► We propose a submillimetre-wave sounding instrument onboard a Mars orbiter. ► The instrument can observe the Martian atmosphere independently from airborne dust. ► We target to observe the temperature, chemical compositions and wind velocity. ► The observations can be done contiguously during day and night. ► Meteorology, climate system and surface–atmosphere interaction will be investigated.