Perseverance MEDA Atmospheric Pressure Observations - Initial Results

The Mars2020 Perseverance Rover landed successfully on the Martian surface on the Jezero Crater floor (18.44°N, 77.45°E) at Martian solar longitude of 5 degrees in February 2021. Since then it has produced highly valuable environmental measurements with a versatile scientific payload including the MEDA (Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer) suite of environmental sensors. One of the MEDA systems is the PS pressure sensor system which weighs 40 grams and has an estimated absolute accuracy of better than 3.5 Pa and a resolution of 0.13 Pa. We present initial results from the first 414 sols of Martian atmospheric surface pressure observations by the PS whose performance was found to meet its specifications. Observed sol-averaged atmospheric pressures follow an anticipated pattern of pressure variation in the course of the advancing season and are consistent with data from other landing missions. The observed daily pressure amplitude varies approximately by 2-5 % of the sol-averaged pressure, with absolute amplitude 10-35 Pa in an approximately direct relationship with airborne dust. During a regional dust storm, which began at the 135 degrees of solar longitude the daily pressure amplitude roughly doubles. The daily pressure variations were found to be remarkably sensitive to the seasonal evolution of the atmosphere. In particular analysis of the daily pressure signature revealed diagnostic information likely related to the regional scale structure of the atmosphere. Comparison of Perseverance pressure observations to data from other landers reveals the global scale seasonal behaviour of Mars' atmosphere.