Publisher's Synopsis
The Mars Global Reference Atmospheric Model (Mars-GRAM) is an engineering-levelatmospheric model widely used for diverse mission applications. Applications include systemsdesign, performance analysis, and operations planning for aerobraking, entry, descent and landing, and aerocapture. Mars-GRAM has been utilized during the aerobraking operations of MarsGlobal Surveyor (MGS),1 Mars Odyssey (ODY), and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Mars-GRAM has also been used in the prediction and validation of Mars Pathfinder hypersonic aerodynamics,2 the aerothermodynamic and entry dynamics studies for Mars Polar Lander,3 the MarsAerocapture System Study, as well as the Aerocapture Technology Assessment Group.Mars-GRAM versions4-8 prior to Mars-GRAM 2000 were based on ad hoc parameterizationsto data observed by the Mariner and Viking missions. Mars-GRAM 2000,9 Mars-GRAM2001, Mars-GRAM 2005, and the current version, Mars-GRAM 2010, are based on input datatables derived from output results from the NASA Ames Mars General Circulation Model(MGCM)10,11 and the University of Michigan Mars Thermospheric General Circulation Model(MTGCM).12,13Section 1 provides an overview of Mars-GRAM 2010. Section 2 of this Technical Memorandumdescribes the MGCM and MTGCM data and how they are applied in Mars-GRAM.The new features of Mars-GRAM 2010 are described in section 3. Section 4 explains how toobtain the Mars-GRAM code and data files and how to set up and run the program. Sampleresults are presented in section 5. Appendices A-F provide additional details of Mars-GRAM2010 input and output files and how to interpret program results. Appendix G describes severalauxiliary programs that are provided with Mars-GRAM 2010
