Difference between revisions of "Needed explorations"

From Marspedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
The existing knowledge about [[Mars]] is a valuable basis for planning the first [[settlement]], but during the development of the Marspedia project some open issues arise, that require further explorations. This page collects descriptions of those explorations required to find the needed knowledge.
+
The existing knowledge about [[Mars]] is a valuable basis for planning the first [[settlement]].  However, before the development of a settlement, ground based explorations are required.  
 +
 
 +
==Geology==
 +
The underground geology of Mars needs to be explored.  Sources of water, usable stone and concentrated mineral resources must be identified.  Soil quality must be defined to create suitable foundations for settlement habitats.
  
 
==Caves==
 
==Caves==
 
The actual geometry of the Martian [[caves]] is unknown. Only the size of the entrance can be seen on photographs. If the caves are involved in settlement planning we need to know whether they are really usable or not. The exploration can be done by remote controlled machines, e.g. specialized [[:category:rovers|rovers]] with agents crawling into the caves.
 
The actual geometry of the Martian [[caves]] is unknown. Only the size of the entrance can be seen on photographs. If the caves are involved in settlement planning we need to know whether they are really usable or not. The exploration can be done by remote controlled machines, e.g. specialized [[:category:rovers|rovers]] with agents crawling into the caves.
  
===Needed details===
+
===Required  information===
*size and shape of subsurface parts
+
*size and shape of subsurface caves
 
*geological stability
 
*geological stability
*temperature inside
+
*internal temperature
 
*deposits of [[water]] and [[minerals]]
 
*deposits of [[water]] and [[minerals]]
  
Line 13: Line 16:
 
We need more information about the [[atmosphere|atmospheric]] movements on Mars. The viability of [[wind turbine]]s strongly depend on it. Several wind sensors could be brought to the Martian surface, each in a different region. With the additional knowledge we can [[Experimental setup#wind_turbine|optimize the construction of wind turbines]].
 
We need more information about the [[atmosphere|atmospheric]] movements on Mars. The viability of [[wind turbine]]s strongly depend on it. Several wind sensors could be brought to the Martian surface, each in a different region. With the additional knowledge we can [[Experimental setup#wind_turbine|optimize the construction of wind turbines]].
  
===Needed details===
+
===Required information===
 
*strength and duration of wind
 
*strength and duration of wind
*global wind pattern
+
*global wind patterns
 
*peak wind speed
 
*peak wind speed
 
*average wind speed in a Martian year for several regions
 
*average wind speed in a Martian year for several regions
  
 
==Geothermal energy==
 
==Geothermal energy==
Signs of liquid [[water]] nourish the hope of finding warm spots near below the surface in some regions. A specialized rover can be sent to Mars to drill deep wholes into the ground. The temperature can be measured.
+
Signs of liquid [[water]] feed the hope of finding underground warm spots near the surface in some regions. A specialized rover can be sent to Mars to drill holes, measure temperature and determine geothermal potential.
 +
The present [[InSight_Mission]] has shown that drilling deeply into the Martian surface will be a significant challenge.
 +
 
  
===Needed details===
+
===Required information===
 
*location of warm spots
 
*location of warm spots
*temperature in a depth of 10m, 50m and 100m in several areas.
+
*temperature at a depth of 10m, 50m and 100m in several areas.
  
  

Revision as of 08:38, 19 January 2022

The existing knowledge about Mars is a valuable basis for planning the first settlement. However, before the development of a settlement, ground based explorations are required.

Geology

The underground geology of Mars needs to be explored. Sources of water, usable stone and concentrated mineral resources must be identified. Soil quality must be defined to create suitable foundations for settlement habitats.

Caves

The actual geometry of the Martian caves is unknown. Only the size of the entrance can be seen on photographs. If the caves are involved in settlement planning we need to know whether they are really usable or not. The exploration can be done by remote controlled machines, e.g. specialized rovers with agents crawling into the caves.

Required information

  • size and shape of subsurface caves
  • geological stability
  • internal temperature
  • deposits of water and minerals

Wind

We need more information about the atmospheric movements on Mars. The viability of wind turbines strongly depend on it. Several wind sensors could be brought to the Martian surface, each in a different region. With the additional knowledge we can optimize the construction of wind turbines.

Required information

  • strength and duration of wind
  • global wind patterns
  • peak wind speed
  • average wind speed in a Martian year for several regions

Geothermal energy

Signs of liquid water feed the hope of finding underground warm spots near the surface in some regions. A specialized rover can be sent to Mars to drill holes, measure temperature and determine geothermal potential. The present InSight_Mission has shown that drilling deeply into the Martian surface will be a significant challenge.


Required information

  • location of warm spots
  • temperature at a depth of 10m, 50m and 100m in several areas.


See also