AOST: Fourier spectrometer for studying mars and phobos

International audienceAn AOST Fourier spectrometer of the Phobos-Soil project is intended for studying Mars and Phobos by means of measurements of IR radiation spectra of the Martian surface and atmosphere, the Phobos surface, and the spectrum of solar radiation passing through the Martian atmosphere on its limb. The main scientific problems to be solved with the spectrometer on Mars are measurements of methane content, search for minor constituents, and study of diurnal variations in the temperature and atmospheric aerosol. The spectrometer will also study the Martian and Phobos surface both remotely and after landing. The spectral range of the instrument is 2.5-25 μm, the best spectral resolution (without apodization) is 0.6 cm−1, and the instantaneous field of view is 2.5°. The recording time of one spectrum is equal to 5 s in solar observations and 50 s in observations of Mars and Phobos. The instrument has self-thermal stabilization and two-axis pointing systems, as well as a built-in radiation source for flight calibration. The spectrometer mass is 4 kg, and power consumption is up to 13 W. Scientific problems, measurement modes, and, briefly, engineering implementation of the experiment are discussed in this work