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Astrobiology exploration strategies for the mars polar regions using balloon platforms
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Atreya, S. A. Mahaffy, P. R. Jones, J. Scott, J. Gorevan, S. Mitrofanov, I. Fairbrother, D. A. Farrell, W. M. |
| Copyright Year | 2003 |
| Description | Montgolfiere balloons can provide a unique near-surface platform for an extended traverse over the polar regions of Mars. During the polar summer, such solar powered balloons would remain in the constant sun of the polar summer and could remain airborne for many weeks or even months as the atmospheric circulation would drive the balloons around the polar region many times before the balloon would cross the terminator. Such a platform for scientific measurements could provide in situ sampling of the atmosphere for trace disequilibrium species that might be indicators of present geological or biological activity in this region. It could furthermore provide high resolution imaging, deep electromagnetic (EM) sounding for subsurface stratigraphy and liquid water, and high spatial resolution neutron measurements of subsurface ice. Technologies for robust balloon deployment on entry and controlled encounters with the surface and near subsurface for sample acquisition in otherwise inaccessible regions are presently being studied and developed with support from NASA. |
| File Size | 184242 |
| Page Count | 2 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20040085647 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t17m57d13 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2003-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Atmospheric Circulation Balloon-borne Instruments Stratosphere Summer Mars Surface Trace Elements Ice Sampling Polar Regions Balloons Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports ServerĀ (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |