Abstract
The Perseverance rover of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission carries a pressure sensor (PS) provided by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). The sensor belongs to the Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA), a set of environmental sensors designed to characterize the near-surface atmospheric conditions. MEDA PS is based on the same Vaisala sensor and measurement technology as the pressure sensor of the Curiosity rover, but utilizes newer-generation sensor heads. The sensor has been calibrated in the pressure range of 0–14 hPa and temperature range from −45 to ＋55 °C. The calibration is based on tests performed in FMI’s pressure calibration laboratory, as well as measurements done after integration to MEDA and the rover. Since February 2021, MEDA PS has operated flawlessly on board Perseverance, delivering regular measurements of the local atmospheric pressure in Jezero crater. According to the evaluation based on the first 530 sols, MEDA PS is found to provide high-quality data with performance meeting expectations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
