2010GeoRL__3709202A

Authors: Andert T. P., Rosenblatt P., Patzold M., Hausler B., Dehant V., Tyler G. L., and Marty J. C.
Year: 2010
Title: Precise mass determination and the nature of Phobos
Journal: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 37
Number: 9
Pages: 09202
Keywords: Mars, major, planetology, theory, observation, parameter, analysis, position, spacecraft, analytical, numerical
Abstract: We report independent results from two subgroups of the Mars Express Radio Science (MaRS) team who independently analyzed Mars Express (MEX) radio tracking data for the purpose of determining consistently the gravitational attraction of the moon Phobos on the MEX spacecraft, and hence the mass of Phobos. New values for the gravitational parameter (GM = 0.7127 +/- 0.0021 ? 10^?3 km³/s²) and density of Phobos (1876 +/- 20 kg/m³) provide meaningful new constraints on the corresponding range of the body's porosity (30% +/- 5%), provide a basis for improved interpretation of the internal structure. We conclude that the interior of Phobos likely contains large voids. When applied to various hypotheses bearing on the origin of Phobos, these results are inconsistent with the proposition that Phobos is a captured asteroid.
%F: AA(Department of Space Technology, University of German Armed Forces, Munich, Germany); AB(Department of Reference Systems and Geodynamics, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium); AC(Department of Planetary Research, Rheinisches Institut fur Umweltforschung, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany); AD(Department of Space Technology, University of German Armed Forces, Munich, Germany); AE(Department of Reference Systems and Geodynamics, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium); AF(Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA); AG(CNES, GRGS, Toulouse, France)
Bibliogaphic Code: 2010GeoRL..3709202A

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