Mars-Express: 20years of atmospheric measurements in Mars orbit

In 2024, 20 years have passed since the Mars Express orbiter began its scientific program in orbit around Mars. It has several spectrometers on board, from the UV to the thermal IR spectral range, and Russian scientists have made a significant contribution to its development and data analysis. These are the PFS (Planetary Fourier Spectrometer), OMEGA (Observatoire pour la Mineralogie, l’Eau, les Glaces et l’Activite), and SPICAM (Spectroscopy for the Investigation of the Characteristics of the Atmosphere of Mars) spectrometers. Over the years of the mission’s operation, a large amount of information on the composition, structure, and dynamics of the Martian atmosphere has been collected. Long-term observations made it possible for the first time to conduct research on climate stability on Mars. Absorption bands of ice in the IR range allow to study the composition and seasonal changes in the polar caps. At present, some spectrometers are no longer working, but the SPICAM IR channel and the OMEGA visible channel are still operating onboard the spacecraft. Results of the twenty-year operation of Mars-Express were published in a special issue of Space Science Reviews [1–7]. This report presents the most striking results in the study of the Martian atmosphere, obtained with the participation of Russian scientists. 

References:

1) Montmessin F., Fedorova A., Alday J. et al. Mars’ Water Cycle and Escape: A View from Mars Express and Beyond //  Space Sci Rev 220, 77 (2024). https://doi. org/10.1007/s11214-024-01099-6. 

2) Vandaele A.C., Aoki S., Bauduin S. et al. Composition and Chemistry of the Martian Atmosphere as Observed by Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter // Space Sci Rev 220, 75 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-024-01109-7.

3) Määttänen A., Fedorova A., Giuranna M. et al. Dust and Clouds on Mars: The View from Mars Express //  Space Sci Rev 220, 63 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/ s11214-024-01092-z.

4) González-Galindo F., Gérard JC., Soret L. et al. Airglow and Aurora in the Martian Atmosphere: Contributions by the  Mars Express and ExoMars TGO Missions // Space Sci Rev 220, 42 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-024-01077-y.

5) Sánchez-Lavega A., del Río-Gaztelurrutia T., Spiga A. et al. Dynamical Phenomena in the Martian Atmosphere Through Mars Express Imaging // Space Sci Rev 220, 16 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-024-01047-4.

6) Cardesin-Moinelo, A., Godfrey, J., Grotheer, E. et al. Mars Express: 20 Years of Mission, Science Operations and Data Archiving. Space Sci Rev 220, 25 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-024-01059-0

7) Giuranna, M., Tellmann, S., Montmessin, F. et al. Vertical Structure of the Martian Atmosphere: The View from Mars Express. Space Sci Rev 221, 36 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-025-01155-9