Analog Sites for Mars Missions II (2013) 4029.pdf

HAUGHTON IMPACT CRATER AND SURROUNDING TERRAIN, DEVON ISLAND, HIGH ARCTIC: A MULTI-MISSION MARS ANALOG SCIENCE SITE. Pascal Lee1,2,3, Terry Fong3, Brian Glass3, Stephen J. Hoffman4, Christopher Hoftun1, Kira Lorber1, Christopher P. McKay3, Robert Mueller5, John Parnell6, John W. Schutt1, Kris Zacny7, 1Mars Institute, NASA Research Park, Bldg 19, Suite 2047, Moffett Field, CA 94035, pas- [email protected], 2SETI Institute, 189 Bernardo Ave., Suite 100, Mountain View, CA 94043, 3NASA Ames Research Center, MS 245-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000, 4NASA Johnson Space Center, 5NASA Kennedy Space Center, 6University of Aberdeen, UK, 7Honeybee Robotics, Inc.

Introduction: The Haughton impact structure (D Scientific Merit: The investigations listed above = 20 km; Age = 21Ma) is located at 75o25’N, 89o49’W all address central Mars science goals and questions on Devon Island, High Arctic. Devon (55,247 km2) is identified by NASA’s SMD and the NSF’s Decadal the largest uninhabited island on Earth. Haughton is Survey. Haugthon Crater and Devon Island are unique the only terrestrial impact crater set in a polar desert, in that they offer opportunities to conduct these inves- i.e., an environment that is simultaneously cold (annual tigations synergistically. For instance, the glacial cli- mean T=-15oC), dry, barren, rocky, ground-ice-rich, matic and geologic history of Devon are reflected in an and underlain with continuous permafrost. For a crater array of surface features whose potential counterparts of its size and age, Haughton is remarkably well pre- and interrelations may also be investigated on Mars. served. Fragile” and generally ephemeral features such Haughton also allows the study not only of any impact- as impact breccia deposits, impact ejecta blankets, and associated hydrothermal microbiology, but the poten- impact-induced hydrothermal vents may still be identi- tial preservation of its signatures in ground-ice on fied and investigated. Aside from the impact structure Mars, etc. itself, Devon Island presents a wide variety of potential Logistics and Environmental Constraints: In geologic and geomorphic analogs to Mars, in particular spite of its remote location in the Arctic, and perhaps glacial meltwater channels, glacial trough valleys, gla- contrary to common perception, access to Haughton cial deposits, paleolacustrine deposits, and periglacial Crater is relatively easy and cost-effective (an order of patterned ground. In addition to its relevance as an magnitude lower in cost than deploying to Antarctica). analog for Mars science, the site offers unique oppor- Since 1997, the Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) (PI: P. tunities for Mars exploration studies (testing of instru- Lee) has been hosting NASA-supported investigations ments, exploration systems, and operations; studies and investigators (including graduate students) at the human factors, etc.) as it presents real and relevant site each summer. July and August are the best time to exploration challenges, e.g., a truly “hostile” environ- access the site for most types of Mars analog studies, ment, remoteness, isolation, and vast areas to explore. as the ground is then free of snow. The HMP is jointly Mission Description: The following key investiga- managed by the Mars Institute (MI) and the SETI Insti- tions on Devon Island address together all three NASA tute. The HMP operates the HMP Research Station major science goals relevant to understanding Mars: (HMPRS), the largest polar research station in the Life: a) Under what physical conditions is microbial world and the only one dedicated to analog studies. life possible and its record preserved in extremely cold The station is accessed by air on Twin Otter aircraft deserts, particularly in shallow subsurface (endolithic) from Resolute Bay (YRB), Nunavut, Canada. Permits and ground-ice-rich environments? b) What microbial to access, use, and conduct research at the HMP site signatures are recorded in transient, impact-induced are held by MI and cover NASA and/or Canadian hydrothermal systems and how might similar signa- Space Agency-supported research and E/PO activities. tures be identified on Mars? Climate: a) Was the cli- Conclusion: Haughton Crater and Devon Island mate on Early Mars warm or cold, and what does De- present a unique combination of attributes that make von Island’s climate record of cold-based glaciation the site highly relevant and valuable for Mars analog and deglaciation tell us? Geology: a) How did Mars’s science studies in relation to past, ongoing, and future small valley networks form, and are Devon Island’s NASA Mars missions. The site has been used annually subglacial meltwater channel networks plausible ana- by NASA and other space agencies for Mars/planetary logs? b) How did Mars’s canyon valleys (e.g., Eos science and exploration work since 1997, and is antici- Chasma, Ius Chasma) form and are Devon Island’s pated to remain relevant and useful far into the future. glacial trough valleys plausible analogs? c) How did Additional Information: For more information, ground physical and chemical conditions evolve fol- please visit: HMP: www.marsonearth.org; MI: lowing impacts on Mars, and what does Haughton cra- www.marsinstitute.info; SETI Institute: www.seti.org, ter’s record of these conditions tell us? or contact P. Lee at [email protected].