Compact echelle spectrometer for occultation sounding of the Martian atmosphere: design and performance

International audienceThe echelle spectrometer TIMM-2 is the instrument developed for the unsuccessful Russian mission Phobos-Grunt. The instrument was dedicated to solar occultation studies of the Martian atmosphere by measuring the amount of methane, by sensitive measuring of other minor constituents, and by profiling the D/H ratio and the aerosol structure. The spectral range of the instrument is 2300-4100 nm, the spectral resolving power λ/Δλ exceeds 25,000, and the field of view is 1.5×21 arc min. The spectra are measured in narrow spectral intervals, corresponding to discreet diffraction orders. One measurement cycle includes several spectral intervals. To study the vertical profiles of aerosol, the instrument incorporates four photometers in the UV to near-IR spectral range. The mass of the instrument is 2800 g, and its power consumption is 12 W. One complete flight model remains available after the Phobos-Grunt launch. We discuss the science objectives of the occultation experiment for the case of Mars, the implementation of the instrument, and the results of ground calibrations