Work

Low-Frequency Data Processing and Characteristics of Tianwen-1 Mars Rover Penetrating Radar

Year: 2026

Type: data-paper

Abstract: In 2021, China's first Mars rover Zhurong successfully landed on the southern Utopia Planitia (109.925°E, 25.066°N) and began its exploration. The low-frequency channel (15-95 MHz) of Mars Rover Penetrating Radar (RoPeR) has capability to explore the Martian subsurface down to approximately 100 m, making it possible to investigate the past geological activities. Here, we provide a RoPeR low-frequency channel dataset that have undergone pre-processing, partial processing, and complete processing to users and can be directly applied for analysis, interpretation and inversion. The dataset also contains the information of 76 subsurface dipping reflectors that dip toward the northern lowlands at depths of 10-35 m. These reflectors show inclinations ranging from 6° to 20° with an average value of 14.5° and standard deviation of 2.9°. This dataset can promote further research on the formation and evolution of Martian ancient ocean.

Source: Scientific Data

DOI: 10.1038/s41597-026-07034-4

Authors: Jianhui Li, Zhijie Chen, Xu Meng, Hai Liu, Diwen Duan, Haijing Lu

Institution: Guangzhou University

Language: English

Topic: Planetary Science and Exploration

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,490

Funders: China National Space Administration, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province