Exploring Mars:Exploring Mars:The Phoenix MissionThe Phoenix Mission

John MooresJohn MooresAugust 2, 2008August 2, 2008

Who I amWho I am

John MooresJohn Moores–– University of Arizona University of Arizona

Doctoral Candidate in Doctoral Candidate in Planetary SciencesPlanetary Sciences

–– Part of the Canadian and Part of the Canadian and American science teamsAmerican science teams

My roleMy role–– Strategic Science Planner or Strategic Science Planner or

“SSP”“SSP”–– Surface Stereo Imager (SSI) Surface Stereo Imager (SSI)

/ Atmospheric Science / Atmospheric Science Theme Group (ASTG) liasonTheme Group (ASTG) liason

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What is Phoenix What is Phoenix –– Quick FactsQuick FactsSmall sized (~$400M) NASA mission led by Small sized (~$400M) NASA mission led by the University of Arizona’s Lunar and the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary LaboratoryPlanetary Laboratory

Principal Investigator: Principal Investigator: Peter SmithPeter Smith

Several “Firsts”Several “Firsts”–– First mission to visit First mission to visit

the Martian Arcticthe Martian Arctic–– First landed mission First landed mission

to be controlled from to be controlled from a universitya university

Today is “sol” 68 or the 68Today is “sol” 68 or the 68thth martian day of martian day of the 90the 90--sol primary missionsol primary mission

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Why did we go to Mars?Why did we go to Mars?

An amazing finding from An amazing finding from another U of A instrument another U of A instrument several years agoseveral years ago–– The Gamma Ray The Gamma Ray

Spectrometer onboard Spectrometer onboard Mars Odyssey saw the Mars Odyssey saw the signatures of water hidden signatures of water hidden just below the surfacejust below the surface

We are following up on We are following up on their discovery their discovery

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What are we doing on Mars?What are we doing on Mars?

Characterize the Geology

Determine if Life Ever Arose on Mars

Characterizethe Climate

Prepare for Human Exploration

CommonThread

LIFE

CLIMATE

GEOLOGY

HUMAN

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Translated into specific tasksTranslated into specific tasks

Phoenix is tasked with assessing Phoenix is tasked with assessing the habitability (past & present) the habitability (past & present) of the Martian Arcticof the Martian Arctic–– Confirming the presence of WaterConfirming the presence of Water–– Determining if there are any Determining if there are any

organic materials in the soil or ice organic materials in the soil or ice tabletable

–– Determining the chemical Determining the chemical composition of the soilcomposition of the soil

Phoenix also is assessing the Phoenix also is assessing the polar climatepolar climate–– Daily measurements of winds, Daily measurements of winds,

clouds, dust with a sophisticated clouds, dust with a sophisticated instrument packageinstrument package

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OverviewOverviewPart 1Part 1–– Martian Backgrounder: what makes the red planet so intriguing?Martian Backgrounder: what makes the red planet so intriguing?–– Past exploration initiatives.Past exploration initiatives.

Part 2Part 2–– The Phoenix mission from concept through construction, liftoff & The Phoenix mission from concept through construction, liftoff &

landed operationslanded operations

Part 3Part 3–– Living and working on MarsLiving and working on Mars–– How we control the LanderHow we control the Lander

Part 4Part 4–– Results to date and the future of Martian ExplorationResults to date and the future of Martian Exploration

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Part IPart I

What makes Mars so Intriguing?What makes Mars so Intriguing?

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Past Exploration Initiatives.Past Exploration Initiatives.

Mars Mars –– Quick FactsQuick FactsThe 4The 4thth planet from the sun at 1.52 AUplanet from the sun at 1.52 AU–– The 3The 3rdrd largest rocky (terrestrial) planet in the solar system with largest rocky (terrestrial) planet in the solar system with

an equatorial radius of 3402 km (3000 km smaller then Earth)an equatorial radius of 3402 km (3000 km smaller then Earth)–– 1/31/3rdrd the earth’s surface gravitythe earth’s surface gravity–– Eccentric orbit (0.09 compared to 0.01 for Earth) is as important Eccentric orbit (0.09 compared to 0.01 for Earth) is as important

as the planet’s tilt in causing seasonsas the planet’s tilt in causing seasons–– 2 small captured asteroid ‘moons’ phobos and deimos2 small captured asteroid ‘moons’ phobos and deimos–– Distinctive reddish color from ‘rusted’ iron compoundsDistinctive reddish color from ‘rusted’ iron compounds

–– Geologically very active in the past Geologically very active in the past –– home of the solar system’s home of the solar system’s largest volcano (Olympus Mons) and largest canyon (Valles largest volcano (Olympus Mons) and largest canyon (Valles Marineras)Marineras)

–– Posesses surface water in polar ice caps which may have flowed Posesses surface water in polar ice caps which may have flowed in ancient timesin ancient times

–– The most clement body in the solar system (after the Earth) for The most clement body in the solar system (after the Earth) for supporting life as we know itsupporting life as we know it

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Mars through HistoryMars through HistoryVisible to the naked eye and known to early astronomersVisible to the naked eye and known to early astronomers–– Red color earned it the title of ‘god of war’ for the greeks and romansRed color earned it the title of ‘god of war’ for the greeks and romans

Helped Kepler derive his laws of planetary motion in 1609Helped Kepler derive his laws of planetary motion in 1609–– The large eccentricity could not be reconciled with circular orbitsThe large eccentricity could not be reconciled with circular orbits

By the late 1800s telescopes were powerful enough to observe By the late 1800s telescopes were powerful enough to observe surface features surface features –– Giovanni Schiaparelli observed the 1877 martian oposition and Percival Giovanni Schiaparelli observed the 1877 martian oposition and Percival

Lowell began his observations in Flagstaff in 1893Lowell began his observations in Flagstaff in 1893–– Saw evidence for Martian life and civilizationSaw evidence for Martian life and civilization

The ‘Canals’ and ‘Oases’ of MarsThe ‘Canals’ and ‘Oases’ of MarsA large greenish bluish triangular feature (Syrtis Major) thought to be plant A large greenish bluish triangular feature (Syrtis Major) thought to be plant lifelife

–– Not all astronomers could distinguish or agree on what was being seenNot all astronomers could distinguish or agree on what was being seen

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The “Canals”The “Canals”

From “The Decline and Fall of the Martian Empire” by Kevin Zahnle (2001) in Nature

(http:/ /www.nature.com/nature/ journal/ v412/n6843/full/412209a0.html )

Mars through HistoryMars through HistoryIn Reality there were no In Reality there were no canals and no canals and no vegetation. vegetation.

Just optical illusions due Just optical illusions due to the difficulties of to the difficulties of telescopic observationstelescopic observations

However, without better However, without better data, Mars remained data, Mars remained largely a mystery until largely a mystery until robotic exploration of the robotic exploration of the 1960s and 1970s1960s and 1970s

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Best view from HST. Taken in 1995 during Martian Spring

Modern ExplorationModern ExplorationHow do you explore a How do you explore a Planet?Planet?–– Cannot just travel to the Cannot just travel to the

planet and orbit or landplanet and orbit or land

3 steps:3 steps:–– Step 1: flyStep 1: fly--by missionsby missions

Mariner 4 (1964)Mariner 4 (1964)Mariner 6&7 (1969)Mariner 6&7 (1969)

–– Step 2: Orbiting missionsStep 2: Orbiting missionsMariner 9 (1971)Mariner 9 (1971)Viking (1975)Viking (1975)Mars Global Surveyor Mars Global Surveyor (1997)(1997)Mars Odyssey (2001) Mars Odyssey (2001) Mars Reconnaissance Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (2005)Orbiter (2005)

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Image Credits:

MARINERS 4 and 9/VIKING O1: Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA)

MGS: Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA)

MARS EXPRESS –European Space Agency (ESA)

Modern ExplorationModern ExplorationStep 3 Step 3 –– Landers & RoversLanders & Rovers–– Viking landers 1&2 (1975)Viking landers 1&2 (1975)

First Landing, Search for LifeFirst Landing, Search for Life–– Mars Pathfinder (1997)Mars Pathfinder (1997)

Return to the red planet and first Return to the red planet and first rover (Sojourner)rover (Sojourner)

–– Spirit and Opportunity rovers Spirit and Opportunity rovers (2003)(2003)

Follow the WaterFollow the Water

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And of course, PhoenixAnd of course, Phoenix

Modern ExplorationModern ExplorationWhat are Orbiters good for?What are Orbiters good for?–– Orbiters can characterize the entire surface of a planetOrbiters can characterize the entire surface of a planet–– Good for identifying large features and regional differencesGood for identifying large features and regional differences–– Good for watching how these features change with time (including Good for watching how these features change with time (including

weather) weather) –– Good for making mapsGood for making maps

What are Landers good for?What are Landers good for?–– Good for analyzing the surface in fine detailGood for analyzing the surface in fine detail

More accurate Minerology, Chemistry, small scale featuresMore accurate Minerology, Chemistry, small scale features–– The ‘Human Perspective’ of smallThe ‘Human Perspective’ of small--scale variationsscale variations–– Are important to calibrate the maps made by orbitersAre important to calibrate the maps made by orbiters

What are Rovers good for?What are Rovers good for?–– The landing site may not be the most interesting or scientifically useful The landing site may not be the most interesting or scientifically useful

area to investigatearea to investigate–– Can examine several different areas in fine detailCan examine several different areas in fine detail

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Modern ExplorationModern Exploration

Mars has been a hard target to exploreMars has been a hard target to explore

MARS

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EARTH

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http://www.bio.aps.anl.gov/~dgore/fun/PSL/marsscorecard.html

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A Photo Tour of the Red PlanetA Photo Tour of the Red Planet

Slides illustrated with the aid of Slides illustrated with the aid of

NASA WorldwindNASA Worldwind

Available from: http://worldwind.arc.nasa.govAvailable from: http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov

What we came to see and What we came to see and investigate!investigate!

Mars is a land of extremes, but is comprehensible on a Mars is a land of extremes, but is comprehensible on a human level in a way other planetary bodies are nothuman level in a way other planetary bodies are not

AtmosphereAtmosphere

Why does the sky look Red?Why does the sky look Red?–– There are many very fine dust There are many very fine dust

particles suspended in the particles suspended in the atmosphere which scatter red lightatmosphere which scatter red light

How do these dust particles get How do these dust particles get suspended?suspended?–– Dust StormsDust Storms

Occur on a yearly basis at the start Occur on a yearly basis at the start of Southern Summerof Southern SummerMay last up to several years and May last up to several years and can become global in extentcan become global in extent

–– Dust DevilsDust DevilsSuction fine particles off the Suction fine particles off the surfacesurface

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Dust DevilsDust DevilsCompared to their terrestrial counterparts, martian dust devils are:Compared to their terrestrial counterparts, martian dust devils are:–– Very large (several hundred meters across)Very large (several hundred meters across)–– Have very tall plumes (up to several km tall)Have very tall plumes (up to several km tall)–– Very commonVery common

Tracks are easily seen from OrbitTracks are easily seen from OrbitBoth Pathfinder and MER have Both Pathfinder and MER have observed several plumesobserved several plumes

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Seasons on MarsSeasons on MarsTwo effects are important: Two effects are important: –– the tilt of the planet (25.4the tilt of the planet (25.4 , similar to that of the Earth) , similar to that of the Earth) –– the distance between Mars and the Sunthe distance between Mars and the Sun

Also, since Carbon Dioxide is already near the freezing point at Also, since Carbon Dioxide is already near the freezing point at martian temperatures, the atmosphere can freeze out on the winter martian temperatures, the atmosphere can freeze out on the winter polepole

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Ice CapsIce CapsThere are solid water ice caps at There are solid water ice caps at both polesboth poles–– Northern cap is much Larger then Northern cap is much Larger then

the southern capthe southern cap–– Both caps are dissected by spiral Both caps are dissected by spiral

troughstroughsNot well understood what causes Not well understood what causes the spiral patternthe spiral patternThought to be some kind of Thought to be some kind of interplay between sun and interplay between sun and sublimation of icesublimation of iceTroughs are composed of layersTroughs are composed of layers

Each cap has a permanent and Each cap has a permanent and Seasonal componentSeasonal component–– Permanent cap is water icePermanent cap is water ice–– Seasonal cap is frozen Carbon Seasonal cap is frozen Carbon

DioxideDioxide

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3km

Ground Ice & Patterned GroundGround Ice & Patterned GroundThere is a great deal of ice There is a great deal of ice off the cap, especially in the off the cap, especially in the Northern LowlandsNorthern Lowlands–– detected by Mars Odysseydetected by Mars Odyssey

This ice is frozen throughout This ice is frozen throughout the martian year leading to a the martian year leading to a condition in the soil known condition in the soil known as permafrostas permafrost–– Leads to the formation of Leads to the formation of

Ice Wedge Polygons:Ice Wedge Polygons:Contracting ice cracksContracting ice cracksCracks infill with more Cracks infill with more water (or dust)water (or dust)Crack location from the Crack location from the previous year is a weak previous year is a weak spot and respot and re--cracks the next cracks the next yearyearThe process repeatsThe process repeats

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§§Image from Hi-Rise Camera, Diagrams

from US Army Corps of Engineers

DunesDunes

Located in isolated fields Located in isolated fields and in large sand “seas” and in large sand “seas” around the polar capsaround the polar caps

Not clear what material Not clear what material forms the dunesforms the dunes–– On earth, windOn earth, wind--blown sand is blown sand is

mostly quartzmostly quartz–– Mars appears to be quartzMars appears to be quartz--

poorpoorCemented Clays?Cemented Clays?

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3km

Evidence of Past WaterEvidence of Past Water

FlyFly--By Missions saw only craters, but By Missions saw only craters, but the first orbiters (Mariner IX and the first orbiters (Mariner IX and Viking Orbiters) saw dry riverbedsViking Orbiters) saw dry riverbeds

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Evidence of Past WaterEvidence of Past Water

Streamlined Islands and outflow Streamlined Islands and outflow channels are observed near valles channels are observed near valles marinerasmarineras–– Streamlined islands indicate the Streamlined islands indicate the

direction of flowdirection of flow–– ‘Chaos’ regions indicate where ‘Chaos’ regions indicate where

groundwater reservoirs have groundwater reservoirs have collapsedcollapsed

Scale of outflow features indicate Scale of outflow features indicate that the scale of water release that the scale of water release must have been extremely largemust have been extremely large–– Similar features seen in Washington Similar features seen in Washington

StateState

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Evidence of Past WaterEvidence of Past Water

River Deltas and River Deltas and meanders seen by Mars meanders seen by Mars Global SurveyorGlobal Surveyor–– Indicates that liquid water Indicates that liquid water

existed over a long period existed over a long period of time (requires a mature of time (requires a mature river system to form a river system to form a delta)delta)

–– Indicates that there were Indicates that there were some larger bodies of some larger bodies of water for rivers to empty water for rivers to empty into into

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Part IIPart II

The Phoenix Mission, from concept through The Phoenix Mission, from concept through construction, launch, landing and landed construction, launch, landing and landed

operations.operations.

The NASA Scout Program and The NASA Scout Program and Phoenix ConceptPhoenix Concept

Scouts were designed to be relatively lowScouts were designed to be relatively low--cost and innovative cost and innovative complements to NASA’s Mars Exploration Program.complements to NASA’s Mars Exploration Program.

The Phoenix Mission won the competitive bid process in 2003 with The Phoenix Mission won the competitive bid process in 2003 with partners including JPL, CSA, Lockheed Martin, and multiple universities.partners including JPL, CSA, Lockheed Martin, and multiple universities.

The Phoenix Concept The Phoenix Concept was simple: use existing was simple: use existing hardware put in storage hardware put in storage after Mars Polar Lander after Mars Polar Lander Crashed and put new Crashed and put new instruments onboardinstruments onboard–– High Risk, but High Risk, but

potentially high potentially high rewardreward

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How Phoenix Fits into the Broad How Phoenix Fits into the Broad Scheme of Mars ExplorationScheme of Mars Exploration

Barry Goldstein ? Project ManagerGlenn Knosp ? Project Business

Manager

CDR 50 DaysATLO 196 DaysShip 596 DaysLaunch 675 DaysEDL 971 Days

Surface Stereo Imager

MET mast(Temp/Wind)

MECA: microscopy, electrochemistry, conductivity

TEGA: Thermal and EvolvedGas Analyzer

LIDAR

Robotic ArmIce tool, scraper blades

RA Camera

Thermal and Electrical conductivity probe

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The SpacecraftThe Spacecraft

Phoenix at Lockheed MartinPhoenix at Lockheed Martin

Meet the Phoenix Instrument Meet the Phoenix Instrument FamilyFamily

Surface Stereo Imager (SSI)Surface Stereo Imager (SSI)

Captures images in 24 filters, 12 in each eye

Compare this to RGB images captured by a modern digital camera

Robotic ArmRobotic Arm

Robotic Arm Camera (RAC) Robotic Arm Camera (RAC)

Built to image the contents of the Scoop (Left)

But Wide Field of View and mounting allow for a larger set of targets then the SSI

LIDAR and MET LIDAR and MET

Thermal Evolved Gas Analyzer Thermal Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA)(TEGA)

U of A designed oven & mass spectrometer pair, looks at composition of the soil by watching how they break down and turn to gas as the temperature ramps up past 1000 C°

Microscopy, and Electro Chemistry Microscopy, and Electro Chemistry and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA)and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA)

A complicated experiment designed to hydrate the martian soil and observe the chemical reactions that occur.

Also contains two microscopes and a probe

The Launch!The Launch!

Phoenix Launched on a ULA (United Launch Alliance) Delta-2 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on August 4, 2007 at 5:26 am ET.

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After the launchAfter the launch

180° 210° 240° 270° 300° 330° 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150° 180°

East Longitude

30°

-30°

0° Lat

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de

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-60°

-8 -4 0 4 8 12 km

Opportunity Spirit

MPFVL1

VL2

Phoenix

Off to Mars!Off to Mars!

The Seven Minutes of TerrorThe Seven Minutes of Terror

The Phoenix Lander must slow from The Phoenix Lander must slow from interplanetary speeds (measured in miles per interplanetary speeds (measured in miles per second) to a full stop in only seven minutes!second) to a full stop in only seven minutes!

Referred to as “EDL” for Entry Descent and Referred to as “EDL” for Entry Descent and Landing, This is the most dangerous time for Landing, This is the most dangerous time for any landed spacecraftany landed spacecraft

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Another First, courtesy of U of A’s Another First, courtesy of U of A’s HiRISE cameraHiRISE camera

A Bird’s A Bird’s Eye View Eye View

of the of the Landing Landing

SiteSite

Here we are!Here we are!

Part IIIPart III

Living and Working on MarsLiving and Working on Mars

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How we control and command the How we control and command the spacecraftspacecraft

The Science Operations CenterThe Science Operations Center

Located at 6Located at 6thth AVE and DrachmanAVE and DrachmanOpen to the public on Wednesdays Open to the public on Wednesdays (( for more information!)for more information!)

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Payload Interoperability TestbedPayload Interoperability Testbed

When there are questions about something we’re about When there are questions about something we’re about to try on Mars we can simulate it on earth first in the PITto try on Mars we can simulate it on earth first in the PIT

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Practice Makes PerfectPractice Makes Perfect

For months prior to landing we perfected how For months prior to landing we perfected how the science operations team worked togetherthe science operations team worked together

For these tests, the PIT was also used to For these tests, the PIT was also used to simulate Marssimulate Mars

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Communicating with PhoenixCommunicating with Phoenix

How to drive a Mars landerHow to drive a Mars landerMore complicated then the “claw” machineMore complicated then the “claw” machine–– Phoenix must be autonomous due to the light time delayPhoenix must be autonomous due to the light time delay

It’s an involved process that takes two martian days or It’s an involved process that takes two martian days or ‘sols’ to complete from start to finish, under ideal ‘sols’ to complete from start to finish, under ideal conditionsconditions

Half the team at any one time is working on the plan for Half the team at any one time is working on the plan for the next day and the other half on the day afterwardsthe next day and the other half on the day afterwards

“Strategic” Plan “Tactical” Plan

Data from Phoenix

“Strategic” Plan “Tactical” Plan

Data from Phoenix

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Working on Mars TimeWorking on Mars Time

We plan during the Martian night, after the results from We plan during the Martian night, after the results from the current day have come back to earth. the current day have come back to earth.

At the end of the night we “uplink” or “radiate” the At the end of the night we “uplink” or “radiate” the instructions for the next dayinstructions for the next day

But, the martian day is 24 hours and 39 minutes long, so But, the martian day is 24 hours and 39 minutes long, so to stay in sync, the shift starts on average 39 minutes to stay in sync, the shift starts on average 39 minutes later every day.later every day.–– Think of it like experiencing continual jetlagThink of it like experiencing continual jetlag–– Some people adapt better then othersSome people adapt better then others

Eventually, every 37 days or so, we make a complete Eventually, every 37 days or so, we make a complete circuit of the clockcircuit of the clock

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Part IVPart IV

Results collected to dateResults collected to date

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The Future of Martian ExplorationThe Future of Martian Exploration

That first glimpse…That first glimpse…

At Right, -> Phoenix’s first view of the Martian Arctic

<- At left, Huygen’s first view of the surface of Titan(from my first mission)

Water Ice Found!Water Ice Found!

Chips of “white Chips of “white stuff” broken off stuff” broken off the permafrost the permafrost layer sublimate layer sublimate away in a few daysaway in a few days–– Very suggestive Very suggestive

result!result!

40 sols later, the 40 sols later, the TEGA mass TEGA mass spectrometer spectrometer confirms that the confirms that the “white stuff” is “white stuff” is water icewater ice

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Winds on MarsWinds on Mars

Movies and the Wind Telltale show the movement clearlyMovies and the Wind Telltale show the movement clearlynn

Getting our hands dirty on MarsGetting our hands dirty on Mars

Getting a close look at Martian DustGetting a close look at Martian Dust

The LIDAR beam probing the The LIDAR beam probing the martian nightmartian night

The Midnight Sun on MarsThe Midnight Sun on Mars

The rest of the missionThe rest of the mission

We have been We have been extended out extended out to sol 120to sol 120

Lots of work Lots of work left to do, many left to do, many TEGA and MECA TEGA and MECA cells left to fill, cells left to fill, analyses to be analyses to be mademade

And who knows what we will uncover in the next trench?And who knows what we will uncover in the next trench?

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Life on Mars?Life on Mars?Could life have been present on Could life have been present on Mars in the past?Mars in the past?–– Early Mars likely possessed liquid Early Mars likely possessed liquid

water and similar quantities of water and similar quantities of most chemical compounds found most chemical compounds found on the early earth.on the early earth.

–– Mars may have cooled more Mars may have cooled more quickly then the earth due to its quickly then the earth due to its smaller size, thus simple life may smaller size, thus simple life may have arisen there earlier then on have arisen there earlier then on the Earththe Earth

An ancient martian meteorite An ancient martian meteorite recovered from Antarctica, recovered from Antarctica, ALH84001 shows fossilized lifeALH84001 shows fossilized life--like structures in carbon globuleslike structures in carbon globules–– There are many processes that There are many processes that

can produce such structures, not can produce such structures, not all of them biologicalall of them biological

–– Structures also seem small, Structures also seem small, tubes at right are 50nm acrosstubes at right are 50nm across

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Life on Mars?Life on Mars?

Could Mars support life today?Could Mars support life today?–– The surface of Mars is extremely hostile to life as we know itThe surface of Mars is extremely hostile to life as we know it

Extreme levels of UV irradiationExtreme levels of UV irradiationOxidizing chemicalsOxidizing chemicalsExtremely dryExtremely dryExtremely coldExtremely coldLarge temperature difference between night and dayLarge temperature difference between night and day

–– However, there are terrestrial organisms which can exist in However, there are terrestrial organisms which can exist in environments that would kill a human being environments that would kill a human being -- ExtremophilesExtremophiles

–– There are also limited martian environments which improve one There are also limited martian environments which improve one or more of these factors, such as groundor more of these factors, such as ground--ice rich regionsice rich regions

Bottom Line: still an open questionBottom Line: still an open question

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Missing OrganicsMissing Organics

Organic materials are a signature of life past or presentOrganic materials are a signature of life past or present

The Viking lander could not find evidence for organicsThe Viking lander could not find evidence for organics–– A perplexing result as organics naturally infall on any planetary A perplexing result as organics naturally infall on any planetary

bodybody–– Studies in the Atacama desert in Chile suggest that Viking’s Studies in the Atacama desert in Chile suggest that Viking’s

instruments may have not known how to look for the signatureinstruments may have not known how to look for the signature

A question that may be being answered as we speak!A question that may be being answered as we speak!–– TEGA should have just finished running a test for organics on TEGA should have just finished running a test for organics on

the icy layer, stay tuned for results!the icy layer, stay tuned for results!

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Mars Future ExplorationMars Future Exploration

Mars Science LaboratoryMars Science Laboratory

MSL is a NASA ‘Flagship’ MSL is a NASA ‘Flagship’ Mission planned for Mission planned for launch on Sept 15, launch on Sept 15, 20092009–– Much larger and more Much larger and more

mobile then the MERsmobile then the MERs–– The first long distance The first long distance

martian rover (up to martian rover (up to 20km at up to 90m/hr)20km at up to 90m/hr)

–– First nuclearFirst nuclear--powered powered rover (planned)rover (planned)

–– Designed to examine Designed to examine habitabilityhabitability

–– Meant to have similar Meant to have similar capabilities of a capabilities of a terrestrial sample terrestrial sample analysis labanalysis lab

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Human ExplorationHuman ExplorationManned Exploration?Manned Exploration?–– In the wake of the success of In the wake of the success of

MER in 2004 President Bush MER in 2004 President Bush announced a new focus for announced a new focus for NASANASA

–– The MoonThe Moon--Mars initiative calls Mars initiative calls for Mars to be the next target for Mars to be the next target for manned exploration for manned exploration following the return to the following the return to the moon in 2015moon in 2015--20202020

Several Groups promote the Several Groups promote the exploration of Mars in the short exploration of Mars in the short termterm–– Most notable: The Mars SocietyMost notable: The Mars Society–– Argue that the technology is Argue that the technology is

presently available and presently available and economicaleconomical

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Artist’s Conception of a Martian Prospector

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA)