Mars 2020 Science Definition Team Final Report July 1, 2013
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Report of the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team J.F. Mustard, chair; M. Adler, A. Allwood, D.S. Bass, D.W. Beaty, J.F. Bell III, W.B. Brinckerhoff, M. Carr, D.J. Des Marais, B. Drake, K.S. Edgett, J. Eigenbrode, L.T. Elkins-Tanton, J.A. Grant, S. M. Milkovich, D. Ming, C. Moore, S. Murchie, T.C. Onstott, S.W. Ruff, M.A. Sephton, A. Steele, A. Treiman July 1, 2013 Recommended bibliographic citation: Mustard, J.F., M. Adler, A. Allwood, D.S. Bass, D.W. Beaty, J.F. Bell III, W.B. Brinckerhoff, M. Carr, D.J. Des Marais, B. Drake, K.S. Edgett, J. Eigenbrode, L.T. Elkins-Tanton, J.A. Grant, S. M. Milkovich, D. Ming, C. Moore, S. Murchie, T.C. Onstott, S.W. Ruff, M.A. Sephton, A. Steele, A. Treiman (2013): Report of the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team, 154 pp., posted July, 2013, by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) at http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/MEP/Mars_2020_SDT_Report_Final.pdf. or Mars 2020 SDT (2013), Committee members: Mustard, J.F. (chair), M. Adler, A. Allwood, D.S. Bass, D.W. Beaty, J.F. Bell III, W.B. Brinckerhoff, M. Carr, D.J. Des Marais, B. Drake, K.S. Edgett, J. Eigenbrode, L.T. Elkins-Tanton, J.A. Grant, S. M. Milkovich, D. Ming, C. Moore, S. Murchie, T.C. Onstott, S.W. Ruff, M.A. Sephton, A. Steele, A. Treiman: Report of the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team, 154 pp., posted July, 2013, by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) at http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/MEP/Mars_2020_SDT_Report_Final.pdf. Inquiries regarding this report should be directed to Jack Mustard, SDT Chair ([email protected]), David Beaty, MED Chief Scientist ([email protected]), or Mitch Schulte, NASA SMD ([email protected]) This document has been cleared for public release by JPL Document Review, clearance number CL#13-2464 Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... 6 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 11 2.1 Introduction to the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team ....................................................... 11 2.2 The Overall Context of the Objectives (why are they important, why now?) ......................... 13 2.2.1 Explore an Astrobiologically Relevant Ancient Environment (Objective A). .......................... 13 2.2.2 Search for the Signs of Past Life (Objective B). ...................................................................... 14 2.2.3 Progress towards Mars Sample Return (Objective C). ........................................................... 14 2.2.4 Opportunities for HEOMD/STMD Contributed Participation (Objective D). .......................... 14 3 Technical Analysis of Mission Objectives ........................................................................ 16 3.1 Introduction to Key Concepts .............................................................................................. 16 3.2 Objective A: Explore an Astrobiologically Relevant Ancient Environment on Mars to Decipher its Geological Processes and History, Including the Assessment of Past Habitability ....................... 17 3.2.1 Scientific Foundation .............................................................................................................. 17 3.2.1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.1.2 Deciphering Geological Processes and History ............................................................................... 18 3.2.1.3 Assessment of Past Habitability ..................................................................................................... 20 3.2.2 Measurement Options and Priorities ..................................................................................... 22 3.2.2.1 Science Objectives Flow to Measurement Types ........................................................................... 22 3.2.2.2 Implementation Options for Objective A ....................................................................................... 25 3.2.2.3 Measurement descriptions. ........................................................................................................... 26 3.3 Objective B: Assess the Biosignature Potential Preservation Within the Selected Geological Environment and Search for Potential Biosignatures ..................................................................... 30 3.3.1 Scientific Foundation .............................................................................................................. 30 3.3.1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 30 3.3.1.2 Understanding Biosignatures and their Environmental Context on Earth ..................................... 32 3.3.1.3 Potential Martian Biosignatures In Their Environmental Context.................................................. 36 3.3.1.4 Organic Matter and Biosignatures.................................................................................................. 39 3.3.2 Measurement Options and Priorities ..................................................................................... 47 3.3.2.1 Threshold ........................................................................................................................................ 48 3.3.2.2 Baseline .......................................................................................................................................... 50 3.4 Objective C: Demonstrate Significant Technical Progress Towards the Future Return of Scientifically Selected, Well-Documented Samples to Earth ........................................................... 50 3.4.1 Scientific Foundation .............................................................................................................. 50 3.4.1.1 Introduction: The Return of Samples to Earth ............................................................................... 50 3.4.1.2 What is “Significant Technical Progress”? ...................................................................................... 52 3.4.1.3 Attributes of a Returnable Cache ................................................................................................... 55 3.4.2 Measurement Options and Priorities ..................................................................................... 59 3.5 Objective D-1: Provide an Opportunity for Contributed HEOMD Participation, Compatible with the Science Payload and Within the Mission’s Payload Capacity ............................................ 59 3.5.1 Foundation ............................................................................................................................. 59 3.5.2 Measurement Options and Priorities ..................................................................................... 60 3.5.2.1 Prioritization Criteria for Candidate Payload Evaluation ................................................................ 61 3.5.2.2 ISRU ................................................................................................................................................ 63 3.5.2.3 MEDLI+ ........................................................................................................................................... 63 3.5.2.4 Surface Weather Station ................................................................................................................ 64 3.5.2.5 Biomarker Detector System ........................................................................................................... 64 3.5.2.6 Summary......................................................................................................................................... 65 3.6 Objective D-2: Provide an Opportunity for Contributed Space Technology Program (STP) Participation, Compatible with the Science Payload and Within the Mission’s Payload Capacity ..... 67 2 Mars 2020 Science Definition Team Final Report July 1, 2013 3.6.1 Foundation ............................................................................................................................. 67 3.6.2 Technology and Measurement Options and Priorities .......................................................... 68 3.6.2.1 Range Trigger (high priority) ........................................................................................................... 68 3.6.2.2 Terrain-Relative Navigation (high priority) ..................................................................................... 69 3.6.2.3 MEDLI (high priority) ...................................................................................................................... 70 3.6.2.4 MEDLI+Up (high priority) ................................................................................................................ 70 3.6.2.5 Terminal Hazard Avoidance (medium-high priority) ...................................................................... 71 3.6.2.6 Direct-to-Earth Optical Communication Terminal (medium priority) ............................................ 72 3.6.2.7 Proximity Optical Communication Terminal (low priority)............................................................. 72 3.6.2.8 Other Entry, Descent, and Landing Enhancements (low priority) .................................................. 73 3.6.2.9 Improved