Design and Validation of the Scientific Data Products for China’s Tianwen-1 Mission

Abstract

AbstractThe Tianwen-1 mission is China’s first Mars exploration mission. To complete the scientific objectives of “orbiting, landing, and patrolling” in one mission, thirteen instruments for acquiring multi-disciplinary data are configured. The data products with rich ancillary data and flexible structures will facilitate the data application. To integrate the requirements of experts from disparate disciplines and leverage new information technologies, a complete redesign of data products is promoted in the Tianwen-1 mission. We discuss the whole process of data product generation from the data pipeline design to data validation. We design the various data products according to the application requirements of each data type, including radar echo data, spectrum data, image data, energy spectrum data, magnetic field data, meteorological data, and acoustic data. Since various error sources will exist in the generation chain of the data products, data validation is essential before release to the public; the validation activities are discussed at the end. We deliver these scientific products to the community in a timely manner, with ancillary information and quality information. This paper can provide practical reference for Tianwen-1 data application.