In view of the possible finding of several tens percent of inert gas in the atmosphere of Mars by an instrument on the descent module of the USSR's Mars 6 spacecraft, the likelihood of the correctness of this result was examined. The basis for the well-known fact that the most likely candidate is radiogenic argon is described. It is shown that, for the two important methods of investigating the atmosphere, earth-based CO2 is infrared absorption spectroscopy and S-band occultation, within the estimated 1 standard deviation uncertainties of these methods about 20% argon can be accommodated. Within the estimated 3 standard deviation uncertainties, more than 35% is possible. It is also stated that even with 35% argon the maximum value of heat transfer rate on the Viking 75 entry vehicle does not exceed the design value.


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    Title :

    Is there another major constituent in the atmosphere of Mars?


    Contributors:
    Wood, G. P. (author)

    Publication date :

    1974-08-01


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :


    Mars - Upper atmosphere.

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    Atmosphere of Mars.

    Johnson, F. S. | NTRS | 1965


    MARS 96 - ANOTHER MISSION UNACCOMPLISHED

    Bumham, Darren | Online Contents | 1997


    Accuracy Assessment of the Major Constituent Analyzer

    Steiner, George / Granaham, John / McHard, Richard et al. | SAE Technical Papers | 2005


    Accuracy Assessment of the Major Constituent Analyzer

    Steiner, G. / McHard, R. / Reysa, R. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005