Integrated Geophysical Tools for Prospecting Shallow Ground Ice on Mars

Much of martian water-ice inventory lies hidden beneath its regolith in the mid-to-low latitudes. Ice that is atmospherically sourced is valuable because it can record climate evolution, the possible existence of past life as well as its value as a key in-situ resource. Direct sampling, while precise, is restricted to the vicinity of the sampling sites and most probably will not capture fully the expected lateral changes in composition and geometry of the ice-laden regolith deposits. However, low-risk and low-cost, high-sensitivity instruments that can characterize ice directly and accurately are scarce.

We propose an autonomous prospecting strategy that uses a single vehicle, featuring a novel wheel-mounted acoustic seismometer system to interrogate the subsurface down to at least 10 m, with especially high fidelity in the upper 2 m. We propose a non-invasive but complete-sensing capability approach, thereby reducing risk by avoiding direct probing of the subsurface. An integrated suite of geophysical tools comprising (1) high-frequency ground seismic, (2) ground-penetrating radar (GPR), as well as (3) a gamma-ray and neutron spectroscopy (GRNS) within a 10 km2 area of interest is most likely to provide exploration information about the spatial distribution, depth, density, nature of overburden, and distinct layering of ice deposits. A range of cross-validated physical property types (electrical, chemical, and mechanical) are more likely to enhance exploration success. Seismic measurements can detect ice indirectly through changes to the sediment rigidity, GPR methods are sensitive to the ice purity and scale readily in resolution from cm to km scale. Both methods will capture mixed materials as well as distinct layers. GRNS will reveal modeled depth variations in hydrogen and will potentially distinguish between frozen CO2, CH4 and water-ice. All three tools are sensitive to clast-size variations as well as regolith stratification in the presence of ice.

Within the scope of the first 12-month performance period, we will focus on the testing and calibration of (1) micro-seismic sensors and sources within a mock-rover wheel and integrate these data with (2) GHz-ground penetrating radar under simulated Mars temperature and ground ice conditions. The proposed work will enable future collaboration with MSFC SPC colleagues to integrate GRNS instrumentation and allow for complete 3D exploration of the shallow subsurface for ice lenses and overburden properties.

We will cross-validate Vp, VSV and VSH attenuation and scattering in seismograms and radargrams against the physical properties of analog soil that include porosity, density, ice content and grain-size heterogeneity. Miniature seismic tools and their cold-hardened electronics will be evaluated over a variety of temperatures between -50o and 50o C and pressures down to ~ 1 kPa. The regolith model of ground ice and soil layers will be informed by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Phoenix lander observations. A key project outcome will be a prototype array of low-mass (9 g) piezo-ceramic seismic sensors and sources integrated into a mock rover wheel to ensure good mechanical coupling with the soil. We expect the final prototype as the first step towards a higher TRL MATISSE-funded project for automated mapping of shallow ground ice as a key resource to support future commercial missions on Mars.

This proposal addresses the task “Landed Sensing of Mars Ice” under the Commercial Space Capabilities Office

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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