Objectives

Mars Odyssey Mission Objectives

To contribute to the four science goals and meet its specific goal of determining Mars' habitability, Mars Odyssey has the following science objectives.

1. Globally map the elemental composition of the surface
   [Instrument: GRS (Gamma Ray Spectrometer)];
   
   
2. Determine the abundance of hydrogen in the shallow subsurface
   [Instrument: GRS (Gamma Ray Spectrometer)]
   
   
3. Acquire high spatial and spectral resolution images of the surface mineralogy
   [Instrument: THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System)]
   
   
4. Provide information on the morphology of the Martian surface
   [Instrument: THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System)]; and,
   
   
5. Characterize the Martian near-space radiation environment as related to radiation-induced risk to human explorers
   [Instrument: MARIE (Mars Radiation Environment Experiment)]