Eighth International Conference on Mars (2014) 1374.pdf

THE MAPLE LEAF ON MARS: CANADIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO MARS EXPLORATION. T. Halti- gin1, V. Hipkin1, A. Ouellet1, and G. Marchand1 1Canadian Space Agency (6767 Rte. de l’Aéroport, St. Hubert, QC, J3Y 8Y9, , [email protected]).

Introduction: As part of its role in the exploration Figure 1: (A) Schematic of the MET instrument of the solar system, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) suite aboard the Mars . (B) The has identified Mars as a key target for investigation. APXS instrument as viewed by ’s Mast Despite relatively modest resources, Canada has dem- Camera (credit NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS). onstrated innovation to maximize its investments in Mars exploration through a variety of collaborative efforts, including contributions of science instruments, system hardware, and science support. Here we high- light Canadian achievements in recent and ongoing Mars missions, and identify areas of interest for con- tributions to future projects. Meteorological Station (MET) – Mars Phoenix: Launched in 2007, the Mars Phoenix mission sought to better understand the planet’s hydrological cycle and Through this agreement, Canadian industries have to assess the biological potential of ice-rich permafrost been called upon for key technical contributions to environments [1]. As part of the onboard scientific both theorbital and landed mission elements. payload, the Phoenix meteorological station (MET) Of particular note, MDA is responsible for the comprised an atmospheric lidar and temperature sen- High Gain Antenna on the 2016 ExoMars orbiter. On sors built by Canadian industrial partners MacDonald the rover, MDA will also be providing the suspension Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) and Optech, along and locomotion system Bogie Electromechanical As- with a pressure sensor and wind tell-tale. sembly (BEMA) and the actuator / drive electronics The main objective of the science team led by (ADE), while the navigation and localization cameras Principal Investigator Jim Whiteway () are being delivered by the Neptec Design Group. was to improve our understanding of Martian atmos- Scientific Collaboration: Canada has established pheric dynamics. Over the course of its 152 sol surface itself as a scientific contributor to Mars exploration mission, the MET instrument conducted numerous through direct mission participation and complementa- successful experiments, culminating with its discovery ry activities. For example, three Canadians were se- of the first ever confirmed snowfall on Mars [2]. lected as Participating Scientists to MSL, while several Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) – Canadian researchers have been invited as Co- : More recently, the science Investigators on future missions (Insight, ExoMars). payload aboard Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity Canada is also particularly blessed with a diversity rover has been complemented by the inclusion of the of physical environments in which to perform field Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer [3]. Building upon experiments to complement numerical and laboratory heritage gained from previous iterations of this instru- modeling activities. With expertise ranging from im- ment flown aboard the Mars Exploration Rovers, this pact geology to astrobiology, Canada continues to version of the APXS was designed and built by MDA make valuable contributions to the understanding of and the . Mars evolution, and has helped train the next genera- Led by PI Ralph Gellert (Guelph), APXS has pro- tion of highly qualified personnel. vided elemental abundances to constrain geochemical Summary: For the past decade, Canada has con- analyses of the rocks and minerals within Gale Crater. tinued to emerge as a reliable and valuable partner in Amongst its significant findings, APXS data has Mars exploration. Future activities will involve identi- been used to conclude that Gale Crater represents a fying opportunities for collaboration on upcoming previously habitable environment [4]. With MSL’s missions (e.g. Mars Sample Return) and studying op- primary mission not yet completed, it is inevitable that tions for human presence beyond low Earth . many exciting discoveries are yet to be made. References: [1] Smith P.H et al. (2009) Science, ExoMars System Contributions: In addition to its 325, 58-61. [2] Whiteway J.A. et al. (2009) Science, partnerships on NASA-led missions, Canada is also 325, 68-70. [3] Gellert R. et al. (2009) LPS XV, Abs- collaborating on the ExoMars missions as part of its tract #2364. [4] Grotzinger J.P. et al. (2014), Science, relationship as a participating member state of ESA. 343, DOI: 10.1126/science.1242777.