Ares Research Station

A small, modular space station originally launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the Ares Program, a joint multinational initiative aimed at conducting high-orbit Martian studies and logistical support for surface missions. Constructed in the late 2030s and operational through to the early 2050s, the station played a crucial role in monitoring Mars' atmospheric conditions, supporting early crewed descent Operations, and coordinating autonomous surface vehicles.

Following the conclusion of the Ares Program, the station was left in orbit and declared past its functional life. While largely dormant, the station remains structurally intact and maintains basic telemetry and tracking functions. It is a candidate for future salvage or reactivation missions, though orbital debris concerns are minimal due to its altitude.

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Orbital Parameters (Mars-Centric Orbit)

Parameter	Value	Notes
Orbital Radius	8,500 km	Safely below Phobos; in Low Mars Orbit (LMO)
Altitude (AGL)	~5,100 km	Above Martian surface
Eccentricity	0.001	Nearly circular
Inclination	25°	Non-equatorial, allows moderate surface coverage
Ascending Node	40°	Arbitrary, avoids alignment with Phobos or Deimos
Periapsis Angle	0°	Matches circular orbit convention
Rotation Period	12 hours	Slowly rotating for passive thermal balance
Axial Tilt	5°	Slight tilt to solar array plane

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Station Properties

Attribute	Value	Notes
Size Class	Small (40–60m long)	Multi-module stack, compact footprint
Mass	~45 metric tons	Includes fuel tanks, research modules, arrays
Power	Solar arrays + lithium backup	Minimal generation post-decommission
Crew Capacity	Up to 6 personnel	Normal crew size was 4 scientists + 2 operators
Operational Status	Decommissioned	Remote ping functional; life support offline
Notable Systems	Atmospheric sampling array, comms hub, docking ring
Legacy	Supported Ares descent trials and terrain mapping

Mars Orbital Asset (Decommissioned)

Type

Orbital, Station

Location under

Sol