Assessment of Mars Science and Mission Priorities (2003) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix B: Compilation of Recommendations Concerning Mars Exploration Made by COMPLEX and Other Advisory Groups
Appendix B: Compilation of Recommendations Concerning Mars Exploration Made by COMPLEX and Other Advisory Groups
Pages 118-130
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From page 118... ...
to determine the distribution, abundance, and sources and sinks of volatile materials, including an assessment of the biological potential of the martian environment, now and during past epochs; (d) to establish the interaction of the surface material with the atmosphere and its radiation environment....
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From page 119... ...
Among the measurements of the martian surface material that address this objective are the following: a. A complete chemical analysis including all the principal chemical elements (those present in amounts greater than 0.5 percent by atom)
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From page 120... ...
In such an eventuality, the number of seismic signals recordable on the martian surface from distances of greater than 1000 km may be very few. In spite of this uncertainty, which has been recognized in assessing the relative priority of the determination of internal structure and dynamics as a major scientific objective for Mars exploration, we regard the likelihood of detectable natural seismic events as sufficiently high to recommend that a passive seismic network be established on the martian surface.
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From page 121... ...
[1.16] The diversity of the martian surface, as well as the wide range of environmental conditions and our ignorance of some of the key processes active on the martian surface, compel us to the view that the scientific objectives will best be met by exploring broad areas that exhibit the effects of distinctive processes that have influenced martian involution and by the intensive study of an intelligently selected suite of martian samples returned to Earth.
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From page 122... ...
Conduct chemical, isotopic, mineralogical, sedimentological, and paleontological studies of martian surface materials at sites where there is evidence of hydrologic activity in any early clement epoch, through in situ determinations and through analysis of returned samples; of primary interest are sites in the channel networks and outflow plains; highest priority is assigned to sites where there is evidence suggestive of water-lain sediments on the floors of canyons as in the Valles Marineris system, particularly Hebes and Candor chasmata.
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From page 123... ...
General circulation model simulations have shown that the dramatic martian seasonal surface-pressure variation, measured by the Viking landers, has two comparable components one due to seasonal exchange with the polar caps and the other due to redistribution of atmospheric mass by the large-scale circulation. The modeling shows that a quantitative understanding of the seasonal CO2 cycle and of the intimately linked cycles of dust and water requires knowledge of the large-scale seasonally varying pattern of atmospheric pressure and the closely related surface wind pattern responsible for raising and redistributing dust.
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From page 124... ...
Therefore, justification of missions in terms of their bearing on the question of martian life alone would be a disservice to the scientific community and to the public, and would have a detrimental impact on the potential scientific results for exobiology and the other planetary science disciplines. Consequently, NASA should focus its Mars program, and sample-return missions in particular, on the more comprehensive goal of understanding Mars as a possible abode of life, a goal that is fully compatible with previous recommendations.
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From page 125... ...
[7.6] For ancient ground water environments, a sample return mission can occur relatively soon, since the necessary precursor information for site selection is already available from existing orbital photogeologic data, including Mariner 9 and Viking imagery, or will be provided by Mars Surveyor orbiters in '96, '98 and '01.
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From page 126... ...
Learn about formation of the rocky planets, investigate the nature of the early solar system by returning a sample from a comet, and continue exploration of Mars Continue research on life on Earth and potential biological history of Mars, and search for liquid water ocean on Jupiter's moon, Europa Investigate selected sites on Mars in detail Continue exploration of Mars, ascertain the presence of a liquid water ocean on Europa, and return a sample from a comet nucleus [p.
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From page 127... ...
Requires studies of modern aqueous environments and aqueous paleoenvironments preserved in ancient sedimentary rocks. Targets for in situ studies must be first identified from orbit, then mobile platforms (rovers)
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From page 128... ...
Requires global imaging, geologic mapping, techniques for distinguishing igneous and sedimentary rocks, evaluation of current activity from seismic monitoring, and returned samples.
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From page 129... ...
This includes, for example, the structure and origin of hemispheric dichotomy.... Requires remote sensing and geophysical sounding from orbiters and surface systems, geologic mapping, in-situ analysis of mineralogy and composition of surface material, returned samples, and seismic monitoring.
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From page 130... ...
, "Mars Exploration Program: Scientific Goals, Objectives, Investigations, and Priorities," December 2000, in Science Planning for Exploring Mars, JPL Publication 01-7, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., 2001. NRC (National Research Council)
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