Numerical modelling of the general circulation of the Martian atmosphere

General Circulation Models, originally developed for the needs of terrestrial meteorology and climatology, have become in the last twenty years a central tool of Martian climate studies. This paper descrcibes how numerical simulation can be also used for determining the environment for a probe. It also highlights the recent modellig efforts which have been made jointly at LMD/CNRS (Paris) and AOPP (Oxford) to develop a new-generation General Circulation Model in order to produce a Martian climate database for the European Space Agency.