Shape Shifting Rovers and the Search for Biomarkers in an Icelandic Mars Analogue System
Abstract
To enable in-situ detection of biomarkers in extreme environments, we describe a planned field test of an innovative mobile science laboratory (IMSL) that consists of an advanced 32- channel nanotechnology chemical sensor (NanoChem) on a reconfigurable 12-tetrahedral walker (TET). The NanoChem will provide in-situ identification and analysis of volatiles such as methane, ammonia and NO2 to concentrations of ppm and ppb. The TET will enable access to boulder fields, gullies, caves, vents and fumaroles that would likely harbor microbial life or signatures of past life, but are not accessible to wheeled or legged science platforms. The TET will also allow optimal placement of instruments into hard-to-reach crevasses for in-situ measurements. The IMSL also carries a vision system and GPS receivers to image geological features and identify their locations during its traversal. The field campaign in Iceland is designed to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the IMSL and to determine the best practices for remote operation on rugged volcanic terrain. It will also serve to test the IMSL’s survivability and reliability in a challenging terrestrial environment that is analogous to environments on Mars. The NanoChem will be used to survey and characterize gas signatures in Iceland active hydrothermal systems for comparison and validation with data obtained with conventional methods. The IMSL will be teleoperated over a wireless Ethernet link from a nearby ground station. In-situ observations and measurements will be sent to the ground station over the wireless link. The IMSLwould enable the search for life in volcanic terrain and/or water near the poles on Mars.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.P43C1447C
- Keywords:
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- 5480 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS / Volcanism;
- 6225 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Mars;
- 6297 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Instruments and techniques