EDM Science Package and Science Investigations

EDM investigations were selected in June 2011 following an announcement of opportunity released by ESA and NASA. The selected investigations consist of: 

1. an EDM surface payload, to operate on the surface of Mars for 2–8 sols, and
2. a programme for entry and descent science investigations using the spacecraft engineering sensors.

EDM surface payload

The EDM surface payload, based on the proposed DREAMS (Dust Characterisation, Risk Assessment, and Environment Analyser on the Martian Surface) package, consists of a suite of sensors to measure the wind speed and direction (MetWind), humidity (MetHumi), pressure (MetBaro), surface temperature (MarsTem), the transparency of the atmosphere (Optical Depth Sensor; ODS), and atmospheric electrification (Atmospheric Radiation and Electricity Sensor; MicroARES). 

The science package accommodated on the ExoMars Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module surface platform Credit: TAS-I, DREAMS team, ESA

DREAMS will provide the first measurements of electric fields on the surface of Mars (with MicroARES). Combined with measurements (from ODS) of the concentration of atmospheric dust, DREAMS will provide new insights into the role of electric forces on dust lifting, the mechanism that initiates dust storms.

In addition, the MetHumi sensor will complement MicroARES measurements with critical data about humidity; this will enable scientists understand better the dust electrification process.

EDM sensors in brief

EDM entry and descent science investigations

The EDM Entry and Descent Science Team, named AMELIA (Atmospheric Mars Entry and Landing Investigation and Analysis), will study the EDM's engineering data to reconstruct its trajectory and determine atmospheric conditions, such as density and wind, from a high altitude to the surface. These measurements are key to improving models of the Martian atmosphere.