Simulation of Reflectometry Measurements between Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
N. Beugel (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
L.L.A. Vermeersen – Mentor (TU Delft - Physical and Space Geodesy)
L.H. Svedhem – Mentor (TU Delft - Astrodynamics & Space Missions)
W. van der Wal – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Planetary Exploration)
R. Saathof – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Spaceborne Instrumentation)
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Abstract
In 2025 ESA has started bistatic radar experiments between Mars Express (MEX) and the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), to make the first attempts to localise areas of significant water at locations near the equator and at mid to low latitudes.
Building upon previous work, in this thesis an improved model to simulate bistatic reflectometry measurements between MEX and TGO was created. Moreover, at Earth GNSS-R (Reflectometry) measurements have been employed for several years, and concepts from GNSS-R were studied in this thesis and have been implemented into the model.
The simulated measurements were compared with measured data and with the model of the previous work. Measurement parameters, including signal polarization, s/c pointing, and permittivity were also investigated and the findings of this thesis show the effects that these parameters have on the received signal. Finally, future measurement opportunities were also investigated.