Sampling Possible Subsurface Niches on Mars: Targeting Astrobiological Missions

Kereszturi, Ákos (2013) Sampling Possible Subsurface Niches on Mars: Targeting Astrobiological Missions. In: Mars: Evolution, Geology and Exploration. Nova Publisher, Hauppauge ; New York, pp. 193-212. ISBN 978-1-62618-102-1

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Abstract

Subsurface sampling will be important in the robotic exploration of Mars in the future. In this chapter theoretical argumentation is summarized on the selection of ideal sites, including parameters that were defined for the earlier four candidate landing sites of Mars Science Laboratory. To identify ideal locations for subsurface analysis the dust and dune coverage, the cap layer distribution, and location of outcrops sould be determined from above. While imaging information is enough for this, but few data is available on the rock hardness on Mars, and more results would be necessary to put the locations into global context and to understand the role of secondary cratering in age estimations. More laboratory work is also necessary to improve our knowledge on the extraction and preservation of organic materials. Using remote images at the four earlier candidate landing sites of Mars Science Laboratory, at Eberswalde and Holden crater only 3-9% of exposed strata is present and individual outcrops are 100-400 m in diameter. For the Gale crater and Mawrth Valles regions, these parameters were 46-35% of exposed strata, and average outcrop diameter of ~300 m. At the first two sites elongated outcrops were present in larger number, while in the second group the large outcrops were farther away from each other. The analysis suggests that for missions aimed at subsurface sampling different exploration strategy would be ideal at different terrains, and the target terrain’s characteristics could be taken into account during the planning phase.

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