First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars (2015) 1010.pdf Nili Fossae Resource and Science ROIs. L. J. Markle. Introduction: The Nili Fossae region is a very Resource ROI - Water diverse region offering multiple opportunities for Ice: This CRISM image [4] resource and science ROIs. The landing site, located seems to indicate an abun- approximately at 22.05°N, 76.95°E is centered in a dance of water ice (green). crater at the southern end of a large valley. To the im- Incidations of pockets of CO2 mediate east, north, and south, CRISM imagery indi- ice (blue) and water ice or cates many key resources, most notably water ice. hydrated sulphates, clays, or glass (red) are present in this image as well. Images south and east of this area show sim- ilar indications. Note, contrast and brightness were adjusted in this image to highlite the colors. Resource ROI - Bound Water: This CRISM image [5] shows the presence of water containing minerals or water ice (red) and hydrated sulphates, clays, glass, or water ice (blue). Sporatic areas of monohydrated While this landing site is suggested, there are other sulphates or water ice (green) nearby areas that could suffice for maximum ROI po- can be seen in this image, but tential. Being located about 20° from the equator, this some of these may only be arti- offers near maximum exposure to the sun for solar facts of the imagry. energy and food production. The Google Earth (GE) Resource ROI - Hydrox- image below [1] indicates some of the many science ylated silicates: ThisCRISM and resource ROIs that are available in the area. One image [6] shows indicates the resource ROI is examined in more details below. presence of Fe/Mg phyllosili- Landing Zone: This site cates (red) in the area. There [2] is a 9 mile wide crater are some indications of hydrat- with what appears to be a ed sulfates (blue), clays, and/or relatively smooth interior. glass in this image as well as The walls of the crater are no small pockets of Al phyllosili- more than 600 feet at its cate or hydrated glass (green). highest peak and multiple Resource ROI -Malfic passes provide easy exit to Mineralogy: This CRISM im- other ROIs. age [7] shows the areas where Alternate Landing olivine or iron phylosilicates Zone: This site [3] is an area may be found (red) and areas of about 9 mile wide also with low-Ca Pyroxene (green), and what appears to be a relative- one possible area of high-Ca ly smooth interior. Located pyroxene (blue). It seems un- about 67 miles ENE of the clear in the image if the green primary LZ, this area is one areas are a combination of yel- where CRISM also indicates low and blue (high-CA) or actually green (low-Ca). a wide area containing water ice. Another advantage Resource ROI -Oxidized of this site is that the Isidis region is much closer Iron Minerals: This CRISM where that are could provide a science ROI to look for image [8], located about 27 fossilized primordial live. Also located near here is a miles SSE of the previous im- 5000’ mountain which could operate as a communica- age shows the areas of a varity tions repeater for long range communications. of iron minerals (blue). Green indicates coatings (SH600 nm) First Landing Site/Exploration Zone Workshop for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars (2015) 1010.pdf but further analysis would be needed to determine ROI 3 – Large Fossae: whether this is a viable source of minerals or simply This canyon [11], begins at scarce indicatations. about 22.5°N, 77.0°E and ex- Astrobiology: As this area seems to indicate a tends approximately 200 miles large amount of water ice, this ice could contain the to the NE. Beginning just out- frozen/fossilized remains of Martian life. This would side the crater where the LZ is need to be considered if used for a source of water for proposed, this appears to be an drinking or growing crops. Also, approximately 150 easy access point to the canyon miles east is the Isidis region which could offer inter- to explore the cause, history, and geology of the can- esting studies in possible fossilized remains of Mar- yon. tian life on the edges of what could have been a large ROI 4 – Small Fossae: Martian sea or ocean. While this is outside the cur- This canyon [12], begins rent constaints of the EZ being proposed here, it does just to the east of the large offer the possibility depending on where the base of fossae, 21.1°N, 77.25°E operations is located or if extended explorations are While not as deep or long realized. as the larger fossae, it Geosciences: Craters, flows, crustal regions, and could provide easier access canyons (fossae) all offer multiple and diverse oppor- and may be able to be trav- tunities for geoscience. In surrounding craters, lay- ersed further into the inte- ered strata is exposed for geological analysis. In the rior for geological studies. fossae, studies can be done as to the origin, makeup, ROI 5 – Hargraves and age of these formations. While some of these are Crater: [13] Located about large, there do appear to be several locations for ac- 32 miles SW of the pro- cess into these canyons from the southern ends. posed landing site, this large Atmospheric Studies: The proposed LZ is ap- crater has multiple geologi- proximately 1700-1800 feet below mean elevation. cal features. Expoxed lay- Being this low, it offers an excellent opportunity for ers on the rim as well as studies in an area of thicker atmosphere. This could eroded features, flows, and also be beneficial for warmer temperatures because of subsequend impacts are the decreased elevation of the area. some of the scientific interests in this area. About 37 ROI 1 – Canyon 1: miles in diameter, this crater provides an extensive This canyon [9], located at area for exploration and research. 21 45’N, 77 02’E appears Additional ROIs: Many more scientific ROIs are to have easy access from available from either LZ. Only some are presented the SW end and may also here. provide access to the large References: fossae as well. GE imagry [1] Image from Google Earth, Nili Fossae region. indicates possible layering [2] Google Earth image centered about 21.43°N throughout the canyon. 76.93°E [3] Google Earth image centered about ROI 2 – Canyon 2: 21.75°N 78.95°E [4] CRISM imagery This canyon [10], located at HRL00011336_07_IF183L_ICE1.png 22.25°N, 77.07°E appears [5] CRISM, HRL00011336_07_IF183L_HYD1.png. to be located in an ancient [6] CRISM, HRL00011336_07_IF183L_PHY1.png. crater, with the SE portion [7] CRISM. HRL00011336_07_IF183L_MAF1.png. opening into a large fossae. [8] CRISM. FRT0000871C_07_IF166S_FEM1.png. Dunes are present at the [9] Google Earth image centered abt 21.75°N 77.05°E bottom of the canyon. The [10] Google Earth image centered abt 22.25°N crater surface has a crust-like surface of some un- 77.07°E [11] Google Earth image centered abt known material. Water ice appears abundant in the 21.92°N 77.25°E [12] Google Earth image centered area as well. It appears to access the canyon from the abt 21.53°N 77.53°E [13] Google Earth image cen- SE portion of this image where other interesting geo- tered abt 20.72°N 75.75°E logical features also appear. .