The SHAllow RADar ( SHARAD ) Experiment , a subsurface sounding radar for MRO
Seu, R ; Biccari, D ; Cartacci, M ; et al. ; - ASI Sponsor
Jan - 2007

journal : Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana Supplement
type: Article Journal

Abstract
SHARAD (SHAllow RADar) is a radar for the study of the Martian subsur- face provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) as a facility instrument on board NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 2005 spacecraft. The scientific objective of SHARAD is the detection of water, either liquid or solid, and the profiling of subsurface ice layers in the first hundreds of meters of the Martian subsurface. Although the Martian surface is not uniformly amenable to subsurface sounding, it will be possible to find favourable condi- tions for the achievement of scientific objectives. SHARAD is complementary to the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) experiment on board ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft, as it is capable of a better resolution (because of the wider transmitted bandwidth) at the cost of a reduced penetration (higher operating frequency). SHARAD benefits from MARSIS experience both for the modelling of the expected surface clutter, and for the inversion of echo data. Preliminary data acquired during the instrument commissioning period around Mars have demonstrated the correct working of the instrument.

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