Martian Dust Storm Spatial‐Temporal Analysis of Tentative Landing Areas for China's Tianwen‐3 Mars Mission

Abstract

Abstract China's first Mars sampling return mission (Tianwen‐3) is designed to launch and retrieve samples around 2030. Three tentative landing areas (TLAs) (Amazonis, Chryse and Utopia Planitiae, i.e., TLA‐A, TLA‐C and TLA‐U) are selected based on elevation <−2,000 m and latitude between 17° and 30°N. As a dominant feature of Martian meteorology, dust storms manifest in all seasons and affect the accuracy and safety of Mars exploration missions. Tianwen‐3's landing, sampling and ascent phases are in the dust storm season. Therefore, analyzing dust storm activity around landing areas is significant for the Tianwen‐3 mission. According to Mars Daily Global Maps taken by Mars Orbiter Camera spanning Martian years 24–28, 2,476 dust storm events around the three TLAs were identified in this research. Dust storm temporal probabilities within TLA‐A, TLA‐C and TLA‐U were calculated as 0%–44.69%, 0%–66.29% and 0%–33.64%, separately. Dust storm spatial probabilities around the TLA‐A, TLA‐C and TLA‐U were computed, with ranges of 0%–10.71%, 0%–14.55% and 0%–19.96% during the T1 period (Ls = 161–309°), and 0%–6.75%, 0%–7.65% and 0%–8.26% during the T2 period (Ls = 342‐55°), respectively. Finally, considering the temporal and spatial distribution of dust storms, we recommend the T2 period as the launch scenario. Three safe periods (Ls = 2–18°, 4–12°, and 356–4°) were assigned for the entry‐descent‐landing (EDL) phase, along with one period (Ls = 45–55°) for the take‐off and ascent phase. Five circular landing zones with dust storm spatial probability <3% were selected for the Tianwen‐3 mission.

Keywords

• tentative landing areas
• dust storm activity
• spatial‐temporal analysis
• Tianwen‐3 mission