 Artist's concept of I-MIM orbiting Mars alongside three supporting communications orbiters at higher altitudes.[1] | |
| Names | I-MIM Mars Exploration Ice Mapper |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Mars orbiter |
| Operator | NASA / JAXA / CSA / ASI |
| Mission duration | 2 years (planned) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2031–2033[2] |
| Rocket | TBD |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Areocentric |
| Periareon altitude | 250–320 km (160–200 mi) |
| Apoareon altitude | 250–320 km (160–200 mi) |
| Inclination | 74.0° |
| Period | 110.0 minutes |
The International-Mars Ice Mapper (I-MIM) mission is a proposed Mars orbiter being developed by NASA in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).[3] As the mission concept evolves, there may be opportunities for other space agency and commercial partners to join the mission.[1] The goal of the orbiter is the quantification of extent and volume of water ice in non-polar regions of Mars. The results are intended to support future Mars missions, especially with respect to the search for habitable environments and accessible In situ resource utilization (ISRU) resources. The International-Mars Ice Mapper is an "exploration precursor mission", comparing it to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) mission.[3] The mission was envisioned to be launched as early as 2026.[1][4] However, in March 2022, it was revealed in its fiscal year 2023 budget proposal that the US government would terminate NASA financial support for the Mars Ice Mapper,[5] casting the project's future into uncertainty.
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