EMIRS

  • Emirates Mars Infrared Spectrometer
  • MISSION: The Emirates Mars Mission
  • Launch: July 2020
  • Arrival: February 2021
  • Currently: Orbiting Mars

What is it?

EMIRS is an interferometric thermal infrared spectrometer developed by Philip Christensen of ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration with Christopher Edwards of Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, in a partnership with the MBRSC.

What Does it Do

EMIRS will provide a unique view of the lower and middle atmosphere of the planet, measuring the distribution of dust particles and ice clouds while tracking the movement of water vapor and heat through the atmosphere.

Science Objectives

  • Understand climate dynamics and the global weather map
  • Explain how the weather changes the escape of Hydrogen and Oxygen
  • Understand the structure and variability of Hydrogen and Oxygen in the upper atmosphere
The scientific goal of the mission is to provide an unprecedented global view of the Martian atmosphere. Such a perspective is necessary to understand the connections within and between the upper and lower atmospheres and how those connections help to drive atmospheric escape. This escape has helped to shape Mars’ evolution from a warm, episodically wet world in the ancient past to the cold, dry planet we see today. Unique to Hope is its orbit, which enables near-complete daily and geographic coverage, providing a weather-satellite style view of all layers of the Martian atmosphere from the surface on up to space.