Terrestrial analog field investigations to enable science and exploration studies of impacts and volcanism on the Moon, NEAs, and moons of Mars
- Paper number
IAC-14,A3,1,7,x21697
- Author
Dr. Darlene Lim, NASA Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Jennifer Heldmann, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Anthony Colaprete, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Barbara Cohen, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Marshall Space Flight Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Richard Elphic, NASA Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Brent Garry, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Kip V. Hodges, Arizona State University, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Andrew Abercromby, Wyle Labs/NASA-JSC, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Michael Gernhardt, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Steve Squyres, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Terry Fong, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Matthew Deans, NASA Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Gordon Osinski, Center for Planetary Science and Exploration, Western University, Canada
- Coauthor
Mr. Chris McKay, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Ames Research Center, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Noah Petro, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Scott Hughes, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Derek Sears, United States
- Year
2014
- Abstract
Terrestrial analog studies are a critical component for furthering our understanding of geologic processes on the Moon, near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), and the moons of Mars. Carefully chosen analog sites provide a unique natural laboratory with high relevance to the associated science on these solar system target bodies. Volcanism and impact cratering are fundamental processes on the Moon, NEAs, and Phobos and Deimos. The terrestrial volcanic and impact records remain invaluable for our understanding of these processes throughout our solar system, since these are our primary source of firsthand knowledge on volcanic landform formation and modification as well as the three-dimensional structural and lithological character of impact craters. Regarding impact cratering, terrestrial fieldwork can help us to understand the origin and emplacement of impactites, the history of impact bombardment in the inner Solar System, the formation of complex impact craters, and the effects of shock on planetary materials. Volcanism is another dominant geologic process that has significantly shaped the surface of planetary bodies and many asteroids. Through terrestrial field investigations we can study the processes, geomorphic features and rock types related to fissure eruptions, volcanic constructs, lava tubes, flows and pyroclastic deposits. Also, terrestrial analog studies have the advantage of enabling simultaneous robotic and/or human exploration testing in a low cost, low risk, high fidelity environment to test technologies and concepts of operations for future missions to the target bodies. Of particular interest is the importance and role of robotic precursor missions prior to human operations for which there is little to no actual mission experience to draw upon. Also critical to understanding new worlds is sample return, and analog studies enable us to develop the appropriate procedures for collecting samples in a manner that will best achieve the science objectives.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)