3. In Situ Resource Utilization
2005: IVA-1D
2010: 2A
Priority: Medium
(2005 Version)
1D. Investigation. Characterize potential sources
of water to support In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) for eventual human
missions. At this time it is not known where human exploration of Mars might
occur. However, if ISRU is determined to be required for reasons of mission
affordability and/or safety, then the following measurements for water with
respect to ISRU become necessary (these options cannot be prioritized without
applying constraints from mission system engineering, ISRU process engineering,
and geological potential):
Measurement Options:
- Perform measurements within the top few meters of the regolith in a location
within the near-equatorial region (approximately ±30°) that the Mars Odyssey
mission indicates is a local maximum in hydrogen content, to determine: (i)
concentration of water released upon regolith heating, (ii) composition and
concentration of other associated volatiles released with water, and (iii)
three-dimensional distribution of measurements i & ii within a 100 meter x
100 meter local region. This option would include water contained in hydrous
minerals, as adsorbed water, and in any other form it might be present in the
regolith. Either unconsolidated or loosely consolidated regolith is a focus of
current attention because of the need to minimize mining engineering, but
outcrops of rock containing hydrous minerals may also be a valuable possibility
if they are sufficiently friable.
- Perform measurements to (i) identify and determine the depth, thickness, and
concentration of water in subsurface ice deposits to a few meters depth at
approximately 40° to 55° latitude, (ii) determine the demarcation
profile/latitude where near-surface subsurface ice formation does and does not
occur.
- Perform measurements in the polar region (70º to 90º) to determine the
depth, thickness, and concentration of near-surface water/ice.
Measurements for water at other locations and depths are not
precluded but would require further scientific measurements and/or analysis to
warrant consideration. This option would specifically include accessing a deep
aquifer.
Source:
MEPAG (2008), Mars Scientific Goals,
Objectives, Investigations, and Priorities: 2008, J.R. Johnson, ed., 37 p. white
paper posted September, 2008 by the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group
(MEPAG) at http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/index.html.