NSSDCA ID: 2018-042A-03
Mission Name: InSightThe Rotation and Interior Structure Experiment (RISE) will use radio signals transmitted between the Earth and the InSight lander to estimate the precession and nutation of the martian spin axis. This information will be used to constrain models of the size and density of the martian core. It will also measure the variation in rotation rate caused by seasonal changes in the balance of carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and the ice caps.
The RISE system consists of antennas, a transponder, and a solid state amplifier. X-band (8 GHz) signals will be transmitted from Earth, received by the antennas, and retransmitted back to Earth. The two fixed medium gain antennas are mounted on the lander, one facing east and one facing west. The Doppler shift in the signals will allow precise measurements of the relative velocity between the Earth and lander, and hence a precise profile of the planet's spinmeasured over a martian year. Measurements will be made when the Earth is near the horizon as seen from the lander when the relative velocities are largest.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Dr. David R. Williams
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. William M. Folkner | Principal Investigator | NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory | william.m.folkner@jpl.nasa.gov |