Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Jun 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999msls.work....6g&link_type=abstract
Second Mars Surveyor Landing Site Workshop, p. 6
Mathematics
Logic
Mars Surveyor 2001 Mission, Landing Sites, Imaging Techniques, Image Resolution, Remotely Piloted Vehicles, Ocean Bottom, Mars Surface
Scientific paper
Exploration of the Martian surface with a rover is similar to investigation of Earth's oceans using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or deep submergence vehicles (DSVs). In the case of Mars, the techniques required to perform a robust scientific survey are similar to those that have been developed by the deep ocean research community. In both instances, scientists are challenged by having to choose and characterize a target site, identify favorable sites for detailed analysis and possible sample collection, only being able to maneuver within a few meters of the landing site and integrating data sets with a range of spatial resolutions that span 1-2 orders of magnitude (rover data versus satellite data, or submersible data versus bathymetric data). In the search for biologic communities at Earth's mid-ocean ridges, it is important to note that the vast majority of the terrain is completely barren of life: no microbes live in the thousands to hundreds of thousands of meters that separate the life-sustaining hydrothermal vent fields. In attempts to better understanding the origin and emplacement of geologic and biologic features on the seafloor, techniques have been developed to select sites of special interest (target sites), by combining the low-resolution, high spatial-coverage data with medium-resolution, higher spatial-coverage data. Once individual sites are selected, then a DSV or ROV is used to obtain high-resolution, low-spatial-coverage data. By integrating the different resolution data sets, the individual target sites can be placed into the larger context of the regional and global geologic system. Methods of exploration of the oceans are pertinent to the Mars Lander Missions because they highlight the importance and value of the acquisition of 'context' images. Over 60% of Earth's mid-ocean ridge crests have been surveyed using multibeam bathymetry. The typical resolution of such data is 100 m in the vertical and 20 m in the horizontal. This data set is comparable to the Viking Orbiter images of Mars. Only 7% of Earth's seafloor has been imaged using side-scan sonar systems which are towed behind a surface ship at an altitude of approx. 20 m to 200 m above the seafloor. This data set provides textural information on the target surface. The resolution of these instruments varies from 50 m for GLORIA to 1 m across and 2-4 m in the vertical for the DSL-120. Higher resolution is provided by camera sleds such as ARGO II, which is towed at altitudes of about 3 - 15 m above the seafloor. Videos on these instrument platforms can provide continuous real-time video imagery via a fiber-optic tether. Still and video photographic and digital images are typically collected every approx. 10 - 15 seconds. The typical field of view of images from these cameras is 5 m. Added flexibility is provided when DSVs such as Alvin are used since they are capable of more autonomous exploration and can collect and return samples.
Bulmer Mark H.
Gregg T. K.
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