This decision will partly be based on data obtained from the Mini-Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-Tes), which the scientists are currently using to map the mineral composition of the rocks in Endurance.

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For example, Dr Jiao and his colleagues want to map the abundance, composition and distribution of refractory molecules in more detail.

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The orbiter will carry instruments to study gamma ray and heat emissions from the planet and construct a global map of the planet's elemental composition.

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