Fine-Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector

Not to be confused with Front-end Robotics Enabling Near-term Demonstration.
Fine-Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND)
OperatorEuropean Space Agency
ManufacturerRussian Space Research Institute
FunctionNeutron detector and dosimeter
Mission durationPlanned: 7 years[1]
Websitenp.cosmos.ru/en-us/instruments/frend
Properties
Mass36 kg (79 lb) [2]
Host spacecraft
SpacecraftTrace Gas Orbiter
OperatorESA
Launch date14 March 2016
RocketProton-M/Briz-M
COSPAR ID2016-017A

The Fine-Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND) is a neutron detector that is part of the instrument payload on board the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), launched to Mars in March 2016. This instrument is currently mapping hydrogen levels to a maximum depth of 1 m (3 ft 3 in) beneath the Martian surface, thus revealing shallow water ice distribution. This instrument has an improved resolution of 7.5 times over the one Russia contributed to NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter.

  1. ^ "ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli Mission (2016)". European Space Agency. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  2. ^ Fine Resolution Epithermal Neutron Detector (FREND) for mapping water from the ESA'S TGO. (PDF) I. G. Mitrofanov, A. B. Sanin, A. V. Malakhov, Yu. I. Bobrovnitsky, T. M. Tomilina and F. V. Fedosov. Conference: Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration. 2012.