Mars Odyssey Accelerometer Results
Presentation Time: Friday, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Paul Withers1, J. Murphy2, T. Gueth2, S. Bougher3, M. Mendillo1
1Boston University, 2New Mexico State University, 3University of Michigan.

Presentation Number: 73.03

The NASA Mars Odyssey Accelerometer dataset from aerobraking (2001-2002) has not yet been fully documented and delivered to the Planetary Data System. Some preliminary data products are available (densities and density scale heights at periapsis (about 100 km), 110 km, and 120 km altitude), but these are described by the PDS as being mostly undocumented and they have not been peer-reviewed. The Mars Odyssey Participating Scientist program has selected us to reduce raw data into scientifically useful products, document them, and archive them at the Planetary Data System. Measured accelerations will be converted into time series of atmospheric densities along the spacecraft's trajectory using the known orbit and aerodynamic properties of the spacecraft. Here we report on our data reduction plan and analysis methods, including the first results and comparisons to quick-look reports from NASA Mars Odyssey aerobraking operations.