Mars Exploration Rover Project

POTENTIAL LANDING REGIONS

5 GENERAL REGIONS (Below −1.3 km, mostly lowlands, 15°N-15°S)

• Western  Hemisphere - 
  • Terra Meridiani
  • Chryse Planitia
  • Xanthe Terra
  • Valles Marineris
• Eastern Hemisphere –
  • Elysium and Isidis Plantitiae
• Excluded - Amazonis and Arcadia (Based on Thermal Inertia)

Image Image

• Roughly 100 Sites per MER; About 30 Overlap
• Even though area N of 0° almost twice that S of 0°, 
• Smaller Ellipse to South Makes Huge Difference

PROSPECTS

• Expect 1/2 to 2/3 of the sites will be eliminated after closer inspection
• Expect science objectives to narrow focus of landing site specifications
• Possible to launch with 10°latitude x 15° longitude box specified, and refine to a ellipse before entry into orbit
• tinue to Study ~10 Sites; Final Decision Before Launch
• Target Specific Site with TCMs

Engineering Constraints And Landing Site Selection