Joint ASI/CSA/JAXA/NASA Measurement Definition Team for the International Mars Ice Mapper Mission

Two-page spread from the "International Mars Ice Mapper Mission Reconnaissance / Science Measurement Definition Team Final Report" submitted to ASI, CSA, JAXA, NASA, and NSO in August 2022. The left page is the report cover featuring a stylized image of Mars with a blue gradient background. The right page shows an artist's concept of the I-MIM mission: a SAR-carrying orbiter in low Mars orbit transmitting high-volume radar data to a communications relay orbiter in high Mars orbit, with Earth visible in the background. Credit for the concept image goes to NASA.

UPDATE: ASI, CSA, JAXA and NASA are pleased to release the Final Report of the International Mars Ice Mapper (I-MIM) Measurement Definition Team (MDT) at the link below. This study is a substantial contribution to Martian exploration and we thank the entire I-MIM MDT for their outstanding work.

Recommended Citation:
I-MIM MDT (2022) Final Report of the International Mars Ice Mapper Reconnaissance/Science Measurement Definition Team. 239 pp., posted online at https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/ice-mapper-measurement-definition-team.

If you have any comments and/or questions, please contact us at: gsfc-imim-mdt@mail.nasa.gov

Previous Releases

The Italian Space Agency (ASI), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are very pleased to release the Executive Summary of the International Mars Ice Mapper (I-MIM) Measurement Definition Team (MDT) Final Report. This represents the work of a large multi-disciplinary team of subject matter experts from around the world, and we cannot thank them enough for their time and incredible dedication to this effort.

We look forward to the release of the full report in the next several weeks.

I-MIM MDT Executive Summary

The International Mars Ice Mapper Team is very appreciative of the tremendous turnout to the call for applicants, thanks to the interest of so many highly qualified individuals. The collaborating agencies are happy to announce the members of the Measurement Definition Team (MDT) and look forward to using its findings to advance their joint concept study.

MDT Selectees List

In collaboration, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invite scientists, engineers, and other qualified and interested individuals from institutions worldwide to apply for membership on the Reconnaissance/Science Measurement Definition Team (MDT) for the International Mars Ice Mapper mission (I-MIM). I-MIM would map and characterize accessible (within the uppermost 10m) subsurface water ice and its overburden in mid-to-low latitudes to support planning for potential human surface missions to Mars.

More information about this opportunity and application materials:

When complete, required application materials (1. the above MDT application form and 2. the applicant’s curriculum vitae) should be emailed to gsfc-imim-mdt@mail.nasa.gov by August 23, 2021.

The I-MIM MDT aims to commence its work in late September, 2021 and to complete the following tasks by late January, 2022:

Task 1

Define measurements traceable to Reconnaissance Requirements (ice detection, overburden characterization, and candidate human landing site characterization) and ways to optimize the payload(s) for these purposes.

Task 2

Provide findings on potential high-value, prioritized reconnaissance/science/engineering augmentations that are synergistic with the anchor payload and might maximize the mission’s return on investment within established mission boundary conditions.

Task 3

Prepare a model concept of operations based on findings for Tasks 1 and 2.

For reasons of cost, time, and safety, most of the MDT’s work will be carried out using email and tele/video conferences. By submitting required application materials, applicants waive all claims associated with their MDT participation against any of the partner Agencies, entities, or persons. Members will also sign a statement confirming that they will not release any technical data or MDT information during proceedings and must receive approval for any additional presentations or research purposes. However, the partner Agencies will make the final report and any other output materials of the MDT publicly available.

The I-MIM partner Agencies will jointly select MDT Members with relevant multidisciplinary expertise from the international applicant pool. The issuance of this call does not oblige/obligate the Agencies to accept any of the applications. However, the partner Agencies welcome applications from world experts who will work together to ensure the mission concept maximizes the potential for revealing the nature of the as-yet-unseen near-surface cryosphere on Mars and the accessibility of water ice for future human exploration.

For questions regarding the MDT please contact gsfc-imim-mdt@mail.nasa.gov.

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