Detection mechanism and instrument characteristics of the Mars Mineralogical Spectrometer for the Tianwen-1 orbiter

Abstract

<p indent="0mm">The Mars Mineralogical Spectrometer (MMS) is the hyperspectral imager <sc>(0.379–1.076 μm</sc> at 2.73 nm/band, <sc>1.033–3.425 μm</sc> at 7.5 nm/band) on China’s first Mars exploration mission, the Tianwen-1 Mars Orbiter. In an elliptical orbit, MMS uses far-fire point calibration and near-fire point push-broom imaging to obtain spectral and spatial information on the surface of Mars. MMS can obtain visible and infrared images with high-resolution reflectance spectra of the key areas of the Martian surface and can map the global surface using its multispectral mode. It is equipped with the option of performing continuous spectral sampling and interval sampling of the entire spectrum. Additionally, it has the ability to perform in-flight calibration. The article introduces the instrument’s structure and detection principle, as well as conducts laboratory calibration and ground verification to show that the instrument meets the detection requirements. Planetary scientists will utilize MMS to acquire spectral data from the surface of Mars and evaluate the types, contents, and geographic distribution of minerals on the surface of Mars, providing critical support for elucidating the evolution of Mars.