![]() This technique relies on laboratory measurements of reference spectroscopic data and on the development and implementation of up-to-date radiative transfer codes including aerosols and scattering as well as of algorithms to invert spectral data to geophysical products. Spectroscopic remote sensing is the most adequate method to sound the composition of planetary atmospheres, especially in the UV and IR spectral ranges. In particular, BIRA-IASB is Principal Investigator for the SOIR/VeX and NOMAD/ExoMarsTGO instruments and for VenSpecH proposed for the next ESA M5 EnVision mission to Venus. The expertise encompasses observations, such as remote sensing measurements of the characteristics of the atmospheres, as well as modelling.īIRA-IASB has been involved in the design and data investigation of several space spectroscopic instruments for the European Space Agency (ESA) – SPICAM on Mars Express, SPICAV-SOIR on Venus Express, MAJIS on JUICE and NOMAD on ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter 2016 – and is also collaborating on international projects (Phoenix, MAVEN/NASA, MMX/JAXA). It has been involved in the very first missions towards Mars and has increased its expertise in designing, building, and running space instrumentation. The Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), and in particular the Planetary Atmospheres Research Unit, has been leading research in planetary science for many years. Planetary science at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy This also allows scientists to test models and understand the limits of our understanding. Indeed, comparative planetology aims at a global understanding of the processes existing on planets or planet-like bodies through the observation of physical phenomena acting under a wide range of conditions (pressure and temperature, magnetic field, etc.) and forces (the distance to the Sun, for example). Studying Solar System bodies provides us with valuable information on the chemistry and potential habitability of exoplanets. Venus-size exo-planets may be common in the Universe. On Mars, the shutdown of its internal dynamo and loss of its protective magnetic field is proposed to have contributed to the loss of the planet’s atmosphere. ![]() The enhanced D/H ratio in its atmosphere, however, suggests that the planet suffered a runaway greenhouse effect resulting in the loss of its ocean. Venus may have been habitable in its early history, having hosted a global ocean. energy, surface water in the past (and possibly in the subsurface today), and nutrients, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur (CHNOPS). Mars meets the minimum criteria for the existence of life, i.e. Yet, they evolved into very distinct states. ![]() Our current understanding suggests that Mars, Earth, and Venus started out with comparable surface environments, geological processes, and atmospheric compositions. Meteorological and geological phenomena on the surface of Mars have similarities with Earth’s. One of the most challenging questions and motivation for exploring the Solar System and beyond is ‘Does or did life exist elsewhere than on Earth?’ Venus is often called Earth’s twin because its overall properties like mass and size are very similar to those of Earth. Spectroscopic instruments are very sensitive tools which play an important and active role in exploring and understanding the Solar System.
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