Precursor Exploration Missions in Kelly Lake, British Columbia- MARSLIFE project

Precursor missions are an integral step in coordinated exploration between unmanned and manned systems both for terrestrial and astrobiology applications. Testing and developing the protocols for efficient, safe, and meaningful precursor missions is a key step in readiness for space exploration and is integral to the new MARSLIFE analogue research project. Here we present first-year field results from the use of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to conduct high-resolution (<1 m/pixel) geoacoustic mapping (bathymetry and backscatter) of the MARSLIFE field site. Rapid operations and quick-turn-around data-processing (within 1 - 2 days) allowed us to provide our precursor mission data in the form of digital maps to the MARSLIFE operating team for site assessment and mission planning. Precursor mapping helped identify target areas for specific operations, including ROV and Deepworker missions during the field campaign. Mission critical results from the AUV survey included morphology (micro-bathymetry), target localization, and suitability of terrain types based on slope and rugosity for different mission activities (e.g. SCUBA slope transects and water samples). The rapid acquisition and data processing turn around allowed us to provide mission critical measurements such as depth, slope, composition, and roughness to the entire exploration team. In total during the July 2010 field campaign, over 3 days of intensive AUV and ROV missions were run in Kelly Lake resulting in nearly 50 km of trackline data (side-scan sonar, swath bathymetry, color video, and water quality measurements) of the lake at sub-meter resolution in side-scan sonar and interferometric swath bathymetry resulting in precursor derived geoacoustic maps that will facilitate the safe and expedient follow-on exploration from subsequent manned missions in the next field season. During the course of the precursor AUV missions distinct patches of shallow and deep microbialites were mapped at a spatial resolution of 0.5 m/pixel providing the first detailed bathymetric charts for this alpine lake.