In spite of the highly successful nature of recent planetary missions to the terrestrial planets and outer satellites a number of questions concerning the evolution of their surfaces remain unresolved. For example, knowledge of many characteristics of the stratigraphy and soils comprising the near-surface on Mars remains largely unknown, but is crucial in order to accurately define the history of surface processes and near-surface sedimentary record. Similar statements can be made regarding our understanding of near-surface stratigraphy and processes on other extraterrestrial planetary bodies. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a proven and standard instrument capable of imaging the subsurface at high resolution to 10's of meters depth in a variety of terrestrial environments. Moreover, GPR is portable and easily modified for rover deployment. Data collected with a rover mounted GPR could resolve a number of issues related to planetary surface evolution by defining shallow stratigraphic records and would provide context for interpreting results of other surface analyses (e.g. elemental or mineralogical). A discussion of existing GPR capabilities is followed first by examples of how GPR might be used to better define surface evolution on Mars and then by a brief description of possible GPR applications to the Moon and other planetary surfaces.
Rover Mounted Ground Penetrating Radar as a Tool for Investigating the Near-Surface of Mars and Beyond
1993
2 pages
Report
No indication
English
Astrogeology , Radiofrequency Detection , Extraterrestrial Exploration , Mars surface , Lunar roving vehicles , Mineralogy , Natural satellites , Planetary surfaces , Radar imagery , Roving vehicles , Space exploration , Stratigraphy , Terrestrial planets , High resolution , Imaging techniques , Ground penetration radar
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