MARS PATHFINDER LANDER EDL DATA PAGE
Mars Pathfinder Lander - Derived Profiles of Density, Pressure, and Temperature

To the left is shown the ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE PROFILE and the +/- 3 σ uncertainties derived from the acceleration measurements obtained during Pathfinder’s Entry, Descent, and Landing on July 04, 1997.

Atmospheric Density and Pressure profiles were also derived from the EDL accelerometer measurements. In fact, Density is the primary derived quantity. Pressure is derived via vertical integration of the Density, and Temperature is then derived via application of the Ideal Gas Law to the derived Density and Pressure values and an assumed height-dependent Mean Molecular Weight.

All of these quantities: the derived Density, derived Pressure, and derived Temperature profiles, as well as the assumed Mean Molecular Weight, are provided in the edl_ddr.tab ASCII file in the edl_rdr directory within the DATA subdirectory of the Mars Pathfinder Lander Meteorology data archive mpam_0001.