Trace Gas Orbiter instruments

Artist’s impression of the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) with its instrument packages labelled.

ACS: Atmospheric Chemistry Suite
ACS is a suite of three infrared spectrometers to investigate the chemistry, aerosols and structure of the atmosphere. ACS will complement NOMAD by extending the coverage at infrared wavelengths.

CaSSIS: Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System
This high-resolution camera (5 m per pixel) will obtain colour and stereo images of the surface covering a wide swath. It will provide the geological and dynamic context for sources of trace gases detected by NOMAD and ACS.

FREND: Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector
This neutron detector will map hydrogen on the surface down to a metre deep, revealing deposits of water-ice near the surface. FREND’s mapping of shallow subsurface water-ice will be up to 10 times better than existing measurements.

NOMAD: Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery
NOMAD combines three spectrometers, two infrared and one ultraviolet, to perform high-sensitivity orbital identification of atmospheric components, including methane and many other species, via both solar occultation and direct reflected-light nadir observations.