High-Altitude Electromagnetic Sounding of Earth and Planetary Interiors

The Electromagnetic (EM) sounding uses induction from natural sources to build profiles of electrical conductivity of planetary interiors. The techniques of EM sounding performed from space near the Earth, Moon, and Galilean satellites operate globally at very low frequencies (<<1 Hz) and cannot resolve structures of interest in crusts and upper lithospheres, which are comparatively shallow. Conversely, higher-frequency surveys for shallow structures must be performed at or close to the surface, with associated logistical and mobility challenges.
We have developed a new theory for EM sounding targeting higher frequencies (8Hz to 2kHz) that can resolve this depth interval and applies at any altitude in the waveguide formed between the ground and the ionosphere (Grimm et al., Icarus, 2012). High-altitude aerial platforms can perform measurements over long traverses, and so the approach is applicable to Earth, Venus, Mars, and Titan, which have the necessary waveguide structures and potentially appropriate EM sources. The concept was selected by PICASSO 2015 to develop a prototype high-altitude airborne electromagnetic sounding system for testing on a stratospheric balloon. Although the system incorporates state-of-the-art high-impedance electrometers, it is essentially a knowledge payload to determine if the expected vertical and lateral variations in electric fields can be measured and used to recover the electrical conductivities of the ionosphere and ground.

Background on Schumann Resonance.

Abstract VEXAG2017

Benefits

This technology enables the study of features like groundwater on Mars, subsurface oceans on Titan or geological hazards on Earth. It will benefit future NASA planetary exploration missions.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Microwave, Millimeter Waves, and Submillimeter Waves
Program	Flight Opportunities (FO)
Lead organization	Southwest Research Institute - Boulder, Boulder, CO
Start date	2017-01-19
End date	2019-10-11

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

• Robert E Grimm
• Charles P Oden
• David Stillman
• James Gaier — blank@nasa.gov
• Yongming Zhang

How to get involved