G.7.3 Mars

Basic knowledge of the Martian atmospheric environment can be found in [RD.48]].

For Mars two reference models exist: the MarsGRAM-2005 [RD.49], [RD.50] developed by NASA MSFC and the Martian Climate Database (EMCD) developed jointly by Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (France), Oxford University (UK) and the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (Spain) [RN.7]

These models, which cover the altitude range 0–250 km, have been derived with the help of a combination of geophysical measurements and simulations using general circulation models of the Martian atmosphere.[RD.41], [RD.51].

The models agree broadly with each other but differ in many details. Ultimately the use of one or the other model for mission design gives equivalent results if appropriate margins have been taken into account.