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Exploration of Martian Lava Tubes

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Exploration of Martian Lava Tubes Exploration of Martian Lava Tubes Christoph Brendel and Janko Trisic 1 Introduction Study about the Lava Tubes on Mars Can they provide shelter for humans in the future? 2 Source: Wikipedia Objectives Define the main criteria for the lava tubes: ● Over 100 m wide ● Close to ancient ocean ● Possibility to contain water: find out if they contain H2O ice, separate those who have it from the rest Find the tubes that meet the requirements Find out if they can provide shelter for humans 3 The Lava Tubes Skylights and rilles Way bigger than the ones on Earth Source: Wikipedia Source: http://blogs.esa.int/caves/2015/05/06/caves-the-hidden-side-of-planets/ Red line represents 50m 4 Source: Google Images. Ancient ocean “Oceanus Borealis” Still a hypothesis, but with many features that back it up: ● Shorelines ● Flow lines ● Clay sediments ● Cross bedding 4.1-3.8 Billion years ago 5 Location Many volcanoes on Mars Areas with the highest rates of lava tubes: Tharsis and Elysium Tharsis has plenty volcanoes but is far away from theoretical shore Elysium is in the middle of hypothetical ocean Source: Google Earth 6 Elysium Mons Good location Rootless cones Lava tubes 7 Lava tubes locations Olympus Mons Elysium Mons Pavonis Mons Arsia Mons 8 Rootless cones 9 http://www.dronestagr.am/pseudocraters-in-myvatn-lake-iceland/ B. C. Bruno / Spatial Analysis of Rootless Cone Groups on Iceland and Mars 10 Criteria Skylights: Rootless cones: Lava tubes: GPR Optical imaging Optical imaging ● Hyperbolas in cross section and ● Diameter of 80-200 m ● Diameter between 0.5 km and 1.5 continuous lines on longitudinal ● Hole in the surface km section ● Shadows within the circle ● No central mountain in the crater Gravimetry ● Gravimetric anomalies 11 Optical imaging Minimum resolution Available resolution Skylights 30 m/pixel 0.3 m/pixel Collapsed 30 m/pixel 0.3 m/pixel Tubes Rootless Cones 15 m/pixel 0.3 m/pixel 12 Optical imaging Lava tube southeast of Elysium Mons, approx 130m in diameter 150 m 13 Elysium Mons Nasa/JPL/University of Arizona / https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_035098_2065 14 500 m d = 0.7 km d = 1 km 15 A: hyperbola marking a cavity B: Ice layer C: water layer If we analyzed a scan that was cutting the tube, we would see the hyperbola from figure A. If we were to scan along the tube, we would see a constant, horizontal line 16 Gravity anomaly C. Rowell / Geophysical analysis of structures and flow geometry of the Blue Dragon lava flow 17 Methods From Earth: ● Analysis of previous imaging and GPR data From orbiter: - SHARAD - 20 MHz - MARSIS - between 1,8 and 5 MHz - HiRISE images - resolution of 0.3 m/pixel - Spectrometer (CRISM) From Orbit: ● Radar sounding (GPR) ● Gravity anomaly On site: ● Lander: GPR and gravimetric tools ● Helicopter 3D modeling 18 Methods Methods that could be provided Methods that need more Currently available methods in the next few years research and better technology High resolution imaging from Mars orbit 3D modeling with a helicopter Robotic exploration the caves Shallow and ground penetrating radar on orbiter Human exploration of caves Spectrometer on orbiter Tracing of gases 19 25 MHz 5 MHz 0.5 MHz Material v in m/ns λ depending on frequency vacuum 0.3 12 60 600 fresh water 0.034 1.36 6.8 68 basalt 0.11 4.4 22 220 clay 0.15 6 30 300 granite 0.13 5.2 26 260 ice 0.16 6.4 32 320 limestone 0.13 5.2 26 260 permafrost 0.15 6 30 300 sand 0.15 6 30 300 volcanic ash 0.09 3.6 18 180 20 3D modeling of lava tubes ● JPL Mars Helicopter Scout will be on board of the Mars 2020 mission ● If the helicopter is a success, 3D modeling of the entrances will be available 21 Exploration with robots ● Getting the robot into the cave is very challenging ● Data transfer from within the cave is limited ○ Ceiling very thick 22 Exploration with robots R. Whittaker / Technologies for Exploring Skylights, Lava Tubes and Caves - NASA 23 Conclusion Detection of lava tubes is already possible Modeling of the entrances is possible in the near future Entering the caves is still a huge obstacle High importance for humanity if we intend to colonize Mars 24.
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