Vienna conference 2 - Mars ii

[JonClarke]

Future mission plans.<br /><br />EXOMARS seems fairly definitely committed to the 2011 time slot (MSL also seems to have slipped to this too) and was the subject of a number of papers on the proposed experiments. Some really nifty instruments have been developed, including a microOMEGA that brings OMEGA spectral capability at a 10-20 micro spatial resolution. There will be a 2 m drill on board as well, and a neutron probe and ground penetrating radar for subsurface survey. EXOMARS will land at between 45 degrees N and S, and will probably be altitude limited as well (limits not specified but MSL can’t land at altitudes of /> 2 km above datum, so EXOMARS is probably similar). The baseline mission is to study 10 sites, each 1 km apart, giving a travel of 10 km. Each site will be studied for 6-18 sols and provide 1Gb of data. A baseline site survey will consist of an area with a nominal 20 m radius. This will be the subject of a panoramic and subsurface survey. Ten locations will be selected for spectral and high-resolution imagery. Three of these will be subjected to contact science. Plus there will be hole drilled to 1.5 m for detailed analysis. At sites holes will be drilled to 2 m. A baseline of 30 samples can be analysed onboard.<br /><br />NASA astrobiology plans are to shift from the “follow the water” strategy to a “follow the carbon” goal over the next 10 years, this will lead into human precursor mission after this. There are definite plans for an astrobiology field lab to follow MSL. Five prime site types have been identified: those with aqueous sediments, those with fossil hydrothermal activity, those with ice, those with signs of present liquid water, and the north polar cap.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[thechemist]

Jon,<br />Could you elaborate on the "prime sites with signs of present liquid water" ?<br />Which are these sites and what are the signs ? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em>I feel better than James Brown.</em> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

These weren't specified, but I imagine these would be the very recent gullies seen in MOC images. Plus any sites that might be identified by MARSIS or MRO.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[jmilsom]

Great posts Jon, <br /><br />I have read about five yet to be launched or deployed missions for Mars:<br />MARSIS: The ground-penetrating radar system on ESA, s Mars Express Orbiter that could find pockets of water up to 1km below the surface.<br />MARS RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER: NASA, Still launching this year? which will have an even better radar capability + be able to study mineralogy and climate.<br />PHOENIX: NASA's Polar Lander MkII - should be able to detect complex organic molecules.<br />MARS SCIENCE LAB: The next rover mission (slipped to 2011?)<br />EXOMARS: above.<br /><br />Any others? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>