NOMAD Trace Gas Orbiter Summary Draft 1

 Exomars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) search for traces of atmospheric gases on Mars that could be evidence of ongoing biological and geological processes. Biomarkers reveal the possibility of life on Mars.


The TGO comprises of 4 scientific instruments to help achieve its goal - Atmospheric Chemistry Suite, Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System, Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector and Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery (NOMAD). 


NOMAD uses solar occultation and reflected light nadir observations to identify methane and other atmospheric constituents. It has three spectrometers, two infrared and one ultraviolet.

An instrument with three spectrometers is used: one for solar occultation measurements alone, one for both limb and occultation measurements simultaneously, and one for ultraviolet and visible measurements as well.


It will detect isotopologues of many key Martian atmospheric species. NOMAD will provide global 4D views of the atmosphere of Mars by combining 2-D-vertical sounding and mapping observations during the primary science phase.



References

(n.d.). EXOMARS TRACE GAS ORBITER INSTRUMENTS. https://exploration.esa.int/web/mars/-/48523-trace-gas-orbiter-instruments

(2021, July 20). ExoMars orbiter continues hunt for key signs of life on Mars. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/ExoMars_orbiter_continues_hunt_for_key_signs_of_life_on_Mars

A.C., V., JJ., L.-M., & M.R., P. 

(2018, June 19). NOMAD, an Integrated Suite of Three Spectrometers for the ExoMars Trace Gas Mission: Technical Description, Science Objectives and Expected Performance - Space Science Reviews. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-018-0517-2#citeas

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