Planning for the Scientific Exploration of Mars by Humans By the mepag human Exploration of Mars Science Analysis Group (hem-sag)

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Benefits of Maximizing Lab Work on Mars

Advantage of doing as much as possible in situ or in Mars lab:

There is a scientific advantage to being able to do as much science as possible on the planet and portable lab devices would be well advanced in the next 30 years
Reduces risk of sample loss on return.
From a biological perspective, best to keep sample at ambient conditions which would be tough to do on sample return. As organics and biological material is subject to degradation over time, real time analysis would increase the chances of successful detection and characterization
Could include separation facilities to remove e.g. solids, dissolved substances and gases from ice (after thorough characterization) to process on site and then send the different factions home for more sophisticated analysis
Respond to discoveries made in real-time by carrying out a second round of more detailed and thorough collection in areas that show high potential
Could monitor environmental effects of inhabitation.
Ensure sample sterility and integrity

Earth-based investigations into the purported evidence for life in Martian meteorite ALH84001 have involved a great number of scientists utilizing many sophisticated instruments and techniques but remain contentious. Evidence of life on Mars, both past and present may be quite subtle. The selection of relevant samples and sampling environments would require the unique capabilities of humans (e.g., ingenuity, flexibility, efficiency) to interpret available clues in real time and to strategically execute a plan for investigation of hypotheses in situ (i.e., on Mars). Samples should still be returned to Earth because of the advanced analytical capabilities of terrestrial laboratories, but the more ability we have on Mars means more science done without the restrictions of sample weight on return and a greater likelihood of satisfying the goals and objectives of the mission.

Planetary Protection Issues at the HSRM Locality and Potential Mitigation

To achieve the biology goals, especially the search for extant life, we would almost certainly need to enter special regions (e.g., gully sites and the subsurface) with humans. We feel that a biologically focused mission would need to include a search for extant life, so technological developments would be needed to prevent forward contamination and provide a safe barrier for astronauts working on samples. Other potential mitigation:

Carry out repeated analysis of microbial populations in soils to quantify contamination around station for planetary protection analysis. This might be undertaken every 100 days, but this time period could be changed in response to detection of contaminants and/or during periods of intense EVA activity.
Monitor microbial presence in an ever increasing perimeter around the station, or a set of perimeters to ascertain spread. Same tools used for microbial identification could be used for health monitoring and to check sterility of sampling tools if techniques to verify cleanliness and contamination control protocols are robust.
Any rover that would be developed needs a compartment which would be open to the outside only and not to inside contamination. This compartment could be used to store samples for their return to the habitat base, thus minimizing the escape of microbial contaminants from the habitat
The Hab lab should also be environmentally separate from crew habitation spaces
The possible development or designation of special EVA suits with high biological containment specification and cleanliness protocols that would only be used to access special regions.

Precursor Science Measurements Needed to Maximize Value of This Site

High resolution visible coverage of region, especially crater and valley walls for scientific evaluation as well as traverse planning
Radar sounding to understand the subsurface and facilitate planning of drilling operations (depth and location). Transient ElectroMagnetic Sounding (TEM) or Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) should provide additional information on the subsurface relevant to this mission
High resolution altimetry to evaluate traverse challenges
Continued repeat observations of gullies to monitor for additional changes within the gully system indicative of ongoing activity

Issues Identified That Will Require Handling Prior To Human Arrival

Feasibility of drilling several hundred meters without fluids and within reasonable weight and size limits
Blow out protection when drilling into potential aquifers
Feasibility of getting humans and/or robots doing science (including shallow drilling) on scree slopes
Development of robust contamination control protocols for all sample handling systems.

Biology Mission Timeline

A phased approach to the biology program is suggested with the following key milestones/phases

Phase I

A period of ~30 days at the beginning of the mission for acclimation and operations around the station with no long-range vehicle mobility. This early stage would be used for local sample acquisition, shallow drilling and planetary protection surveys around the base (to gather baseline data on soils). Familiarity with operations in the field site would be gained. Safety would be maximized.

Phase II

A second period where mobility is extended to ~5 km using pressurized/unpressurized rovers. This would allow access to the drill sites and the deep drilling can commence. This phase would last 200 days. Mobility could be extended over time for personnel not required on the drill site so that they may set out caches and do some preliminary reconnaissance for the Phase III traverses.

Phase III

Phase III would lasts for the remainder of mission. Samples would be collected from most promising sites and initial analysis undertaken in the laboratory. Iterative process would begin of further sample collection from most promising sites. The drill rig could be used during this phase if time and personnel permit.

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