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

Conclusions

These initial “cross-cutting” findings related to specific attributes of potential human missions required to enable the science priorities described in detail above, can be listed as follows:

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  Sample conditioning and preservation essential for some
  
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  250 kg+ driver (Science) …[400 kg max]  250 EVA days at 1-1.5 kg/EVA-sol vs Apollo 17 threshold
  
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  Biology requirements are subset of 250kg+ minima (must-have)
  
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  Biology hab-lab requirements on Mars are essential for sample selection (for in situ analysis)
  
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  Atmospheric/ice samples as well (subset of total for Earth return)
  
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  Independent robotic return path to Earth would be required for some samples
  

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  Science theme dependent — Biology deep drilling would be least horizontal mobility, but remains in ~100 km class
  
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  Geophysics station spacing requirements dictate (antipodal node emplaced): 200-400 km radial from initial landing position
  
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  Affects regional lithospheric structure, seismicity, thermal structure via geophyscial stations
  
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  Spacing from orbit of magnetic striations now 200 km — rove to ensure high magnetization > 200 km
  
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  Supports require atmosphere/climate network sampling
  
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  Biology/life requires geology-related context mobility (for sampling)
  

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  Astrobiology (extant life): ~300 m for access to subsurface liquid water zones (if available)
  
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  5-50 m for traverse sampling
  
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  Ionizing radiation/super-oxidant zone is 2-5 m  minima is 2 m from neutron interaction path length
  
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  Geology/climate > 100 m access is likely essential (site dependent)
  
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  Selective Coring (recoverable) vs pure drilling to depth z (cuttings recovered)
  
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  Polar climate coring-recovery also at 300 m depth (anywhere deep ice)
  

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  Facilitates high-grading of Sample return to Earth mass
  
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  Enables biology-unique (and climate) measurements that cannot be done on Earth
  
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  Examples of key aspects include: i.e, extant life tests (productivity, labeled radio-C etc.)
  
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  Monitor environmental isolation (contamination and hab isolation, curation…)
  
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  Decisions on basis of samples analysis and directs future sample collections and science
  

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  Some to be left and operated after human departure (i.e., ALSEP-like, LDEF-like, etc.)
  

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  For critical climate/atmospheric sampling and analysis (human deployed)
  

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  “Science mule” for information capture and lugging and transport of samples, equipment, etc.
  
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  Next-generation versions … UAVs, and others
  

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  Navigation: This includes GPS-like or inertial reference…for science documentation: 10m x,y,z is baseline requirements
  

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  Multiple, independent sites for long-stay required for science-driven HEM missions (500 day, 250 day EVA)
  
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  Sample mass to Earth > 250 kg, however achieved (could include robotic & human return approaches that separate the sample masses)
  
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  Human horizontal mobility is > 200 km radial (may be up to 500 km radial)
  
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  Vertical mobility must be capable of ~ 300 m (at one site, less at multiple sites on traverses)
  
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  Extant biology is not off-limits (can go after it), including in situ analysis via special lab equipment
  
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  Habitat lab instruments for multiple objectives, including biology, geology, climate, etc.
  
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  Emplacement of network stations for interior, meteorological, climate and even biology essential beyond initial landing site (to be operated during HEM missions and after human return)
  
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  Science after humans return to Earth essential for monitoring climate and interior (and even biology if discovered)
  
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  Some key human science activities on Mars must be demonstrated on the Moon (validation, practice, science value), and maybe some on Earth in Mars analogue settings
  
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  Navigational and telecom infrastructure needed to support human science
  
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  Humans on site (on Mars) bring scientific improvisation, adaptability, agility, and increased cognition for solving major problems (more science in less time and ultimately results faster, better, cheaper)
  
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  Humans must have equipment to conduct analyses so they can iterate to perform well-adapted science to what they discover as they go
  
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  HEM missions to Mars are not apollo-like (less rush, more time to think and adapt) – consider 500 day versions of Apollo missions as test cases
  
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  Careful consideration of contamination control and isolation for biology-relevant samples would be essential to prevent a “false positive” [separate human life sciences from fundamental astrobiology investigations]
  
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  There are HEM mission science precursors that would enable better, smarter, and less costly science that need to be developed [some pragmatic knowledge of dust, radiation, sub-meter geo, terrain, etc.]
  
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  Deep Drilling and long-range pressurized mobility are essential for science-driven HEM missions to Mars in the 2030s
  
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  Require use of robotic assistants on field traverse and short-lived monitoring assets (balloons, etc.)
  
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  There may be programmatic reasons for a sustained, stable MEP with related research and analysis, field analogues, etc. to keep HEM missions on track for the 2030s after an era of Human Lunar Exploration (20s)
  
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  The public must be engaged in the scientific exploration of Mars by humans! EPO strategy leading to humans on Mars (HEM missions) must start now