Much less is known about the lunar or Martian shallow subsurface ranging from ~1 – a few tens of meters depth. At Mars, orbital radar has provided valuable information regarding the shallow subsurface structure and presence of ice at depths of 10’s of meters to ~1 km. For the Moon, the deeper subsurface has primarily been characterized using gravity and magnetic measurements from high lunar orbit coupled with numerical modeling of planetary interiors. A new Space economy will emerge when we can demonstrate off-world resource models that quantify risk and reward, accelerating markets and human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.īackground: The Moon and Mars have a wealth of remote sensing and lander data from missions over the past several decades and continuing to the present day that characterize the lunar and Martian surfaces including topography, reflectance, geologic units, composition, and temperature. Our limited ability to detect, assess, and extract off-world resources means there is an unquantified risk to investing, and consequently no prospect of a commercial market for lunar or Martian resources. ![]() Observational gaps and the difficulty in accessing off-world resource sites challenge our ability to target sampling to test these new models.New models of resource emplacement and retention are likely needed based on different off-world concentration processes.Terrestrial models of ore concentration are unproven off-world and likely will require modification for optimal application to non-terrestrial planetary bodies.We currently lack capability off-world because: This process is fundamentally more difficult to conduct off-world, where geologic mapping and sampling must be done at great effort and cost via robotic spacecraft missions to distant moons and planets. Such localized resources are challenging to discover, requiring the harmonious union of remote sensing, geologic mapping, sampling, and modeling. This process has evolved out of the observation that many geologic processes generate small (meter to tens of meter scale), high concentration deposits. The intent of sampling is to refine and detail the subsurface model of ore concentration. ![]() The traditional model for resource estimation uses a combination of conceptual models, geologic mapping, and remote sensing to target sampling. They allow us better to predict prospective regions of geologic resources which can then be targeted by remote sensing and subsequently sampled to quantify the volume and concentration of a particular mineral resource. The Challenge: Earth’s mineral resource models depend on hundreds of years of field experience and study. NASA's Curiosity Mars rover used two different cameras to create this selfie in front of Mont Mercou, a rock outcrop that stands 20 feet (6 meters) tall.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |