FOBOS-GRUNT LANDING SITE SELECTION

A. T. Basilevsky, T.V. Shingareva

Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry & Analytical Chemistry, RAS Kosygin Str., 19, 119991Moscow Russia.

Contact: atbas@geokhi.ru

The first Moscow Solar System Symposium (1M-S3)Mars system studies

Institute for Space Research, RAN, Moscow October 11-15, 2010

Current landing sites for Fobos-Grunt mission

Two alternative sites: 1) 5oS, 235oW; 2) 5oN, 230oW

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Current landing sites for Fobos-Grunt mission

on the map of Peter Thomas

One of new imagesof Phobos taken bythe HRSC camera at the July 22, 2008 flyby with craters seen on previously taken images

Current (red) and suggested (blue) landing sites for Fobos-Grunt Mission on the HRSC image

Results of the photogeologic analysis of the new HRSC imagesof the suggested landing sites for Fobos-Grunt mission

Density of impact craters in the suggested sites is generally lower than on the “average” Phobos.

A few gentle sloping grooves are seen.No large rock blocks are seen.

We have determined coordinates of the new sitescomparing imaged features on the HRSC and the DLR map

1) 11oN, 226oW; 2) 17oN, 220oW

What can be helpful for Fobos-Grunt project:

• New images for photogeologic and geodetic analysis. • New maps based on high-resolution HRSC images for determination of coordinates of the selected sites.

• New DTM with improved horizontal and vertical resolution and accuracy for the computer modelling of the landing.

• Map of gravity potentials for understanding of potential slopes in the landing sites.

Our next steps :

• Photogeologic analysis of new images.

• Possible minor changes of the landing site position

• Official approval of the new landing sites