York University
MAPLE: Mars Atmospheric Panoramic camera and Laser Experiment — The MAPLE project aims to advance the development of a small panoramic camera system developed for spaceflight and intended to be used to investigate the Martian atmosphere from the surface. The instrument will be enhanced in order to allow the MAPLE system to examine the vertical distribution of dust and ice aerosols near the surface and to constrain the size and shape of these particles. As our models of the Martian environment are derived from terrestrial weather forecasting models, proper validation at Mars will improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasting on Earth.