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Abstract We investigate Mars‐ward planetary ions (O + and O 2 + ) in the Martian magnetotail that potentially reduce the amount of escaping ions. The global properties of Mars‐ward flows in the Martian magnetotail are characterized, based on over 13‐years of ion data (May 2007–December 2020) collected by the Analyzer of Space Plasma and Energetic Atoms instrument on Mars Express. We find that Mars‐ward flows are frequently observed in the vicinity of the crustal fields, implying that crustal fields may play a key role in producing such flows. The occurrence rate and sunward flux are found higher during solar maximum than solar minimum. However, the occurrence rate and flux of Mars‐ward flows are relatively low. This is different from the case at Venus, where the planetward flows can significantly decrease the total escape rates of ions.
Zhang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.