ON DEVELOPING REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES FOR CAVE DETECTION ON MARS

The purpose of this research proposal is to show the importance and feasibility of being able to locate and explore cave systems in future robotic and human missions to Mars. Caves provide shelter from exterior forces such as extreme temperatures, dust storms and harmful cosmic radiation thus giving microbial life a better chance of survival. Cave structures can also provide easier access to groundwater which is a top priority for any human mission to the red planet. Finally, caves can provide sheltered areas for humans to design pressurized living spaces upon visiting the planet for the first time. There are currently many remote sensors on the surface and in orbit around Mars that can aid in cave detection. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and the thermal imaging capabilities of the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instrument on board the Mars Orbiter are two very powerful tools currently functioning on and around the planet that can help reveal these subsurface structures. Lava tubes are also of great importance due to their supposed massive size as a result of lower gravity on Mars. Future exploration sites on Mars will most likely involve a closer look at these underground spaces which could prove ideal for habitation and exploration. Landing sites will therefore likely focus on volcanic areas that show signs of lava tubes. This proposal investigates the use of current remote sensing technologies that can be used to search for caves, suggest new sensor configurations for future cave detection and attempt to build a case for the importance of cave detection on Mars.