Astrobiology Field Laboratory
Mission type | Astrobiology rover |
---|---|
Operator | NASA |
Website | at jpl.nasa.gov (recovered from archive) |
Mission duration | 1 Martian year (proposed) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Launch mass | 450 kg (990 lb) maximum |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 2016 (proposed) |
The Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL) (also Mars Astrobiology Field Laboratory or MAFL) was a proposed
Had it been funded, the rover was to be built by NASA's
Mission
The rover could have been the first mission since the
Planning
The Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL) would have followed the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (launched in 2005), Phoenix lander (launched in 2007), and Mars Science Laboratory (launched in 2011). The AFL 'Science Steering Group' developed the following set of search strategies and assumptions for increasing the likelihood of detecting biosignatures:[1]
- Life processes may produce a range of biosignatures such as lipids, proteins, amino acids, kerogen-like material or characteristic micropores in rock.[7] However, the biosignatures themselves may become progressively destroyed by ongoing environmental processes.
- Sample acquisition will need to be executed in multiple locations and at depths below that point on the Martian surface where To get under that potential sterile layer, a core drill design is currently being studied. As with any trade, the inclusion of the drill would come at the mass expense available for other payload elements.
- Analytical laboratory biosignature measurements require the pre-selection and identification of high-priority samples, which could be subsequently subsampled to maximize detection probability and spatially resolve potential biosignatures for detailed analysis.
Payload
The conceptual payload included a Precision Sample Handling and Processing System to replace and augment the functionality and capabilities provided by the Sample Acquisition Sample Processing and Handling system that was part of the 2009-configuration of Mars Science Laboratory rover[1][12] (the system is known as SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) in 2011-configuration of Mars Science Laboratory). The AFL payload was to attempt to minimize any conflicting positive detection of life by including a suite of instruments that provide at least three mutually confirming analytical laboratory measurements.[3]
For the purpose of discerning a reasonable estimate on which to base the rover mass, the conceptual payload was to include:[1]
- Precision Sample Handling and Processing System.
- Forward Planetary Protection for Life-Detection Mission to a Special Region.
- Life Detection-Contamination Avoidance.
- Astrobiology Instrument Development.
- MSL Parachute Enhancement.
- Autonomous safe long-distance travel.
- Autonomous single-cycle instrument placement.
- Pinpoint landing (100–1000 m) (if necessary to reach specific science targets in hazardous regions).
- Mobility for highly sloped terrain 30° (if required to reach science targets).
Power source
It was suggested that the Astrobiology Field Laboratory use
Science
Though the AFL science justification did not include a pre-definition of potential life forms that might be found on Mars, the following assumptions were made:[1]
- Life utilizes some form of carbon.
- Life requires an external energy source (sunlight or chemical energy) to survive.
- Life is packaged in cellular-type compartments (cells).
- Life requires liquid water.
Within the region of surface operations, identify and classify Martian environments (past or present) with different habitability potential, and characterize their geologic context. Quantitatively assess habitability potential by:[1]
- Measuring isotopic, chemical, mineralogical, and structural characteristics of samples, including the distribution and molecular complexity of carbon compounds.
- Assessing biologically available sources of energy, including chemical, thermal and electromagnetic.
- Determining the role of water (past or present) in the geological processes at the landing site.
- Investigate the factors that will affect the preservation of potential signs of life (past or present) This refers to the potential for a particular biosignature to survive and therefore be detected in a particular habitat. Also, post-collection preservation may be required for later sample retrieval, although that would necessitate a further assessment of precision landing of the Mars sample return mission.[3]
- Investigate the possibility of prebiotic chemistry on Mars, including non-carbon biochemistry.
- Document any anomalous features that can be hypothesized as possible Martian biosignatures.
It is fundamental to the AFL concept to understand that
See also
- Astrobiology – Science concerned with life in the universe
- ExoMars – Astrobiology programme
- Exploration of Mars – Overview of the exploration of Mars
- Life on Mars – Scientific assessments on the microbial habitability of Mars
- Mars 2020 – Astrobiology Mars rover mission by NASA
- Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher – Cancelled NASA Mars rover concept
- Curiosity (rover) – NASA robotic rover exploring Gale crater on Mars
- Viking program – Pair of NASA landers and orbiters sent to Mars in 1976
References
- ^ PMID 17723090.
- ^ "Missions to Mars". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA. February 18, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Steele, A., Beaty; et al. (September 26, 2006). "Final report of the MEPAG Astrobiology Field Laboratory Science Steering Group (AFL-SSG)" (.doc). In David Beaty (ed.). The Astrobiology Field Laboratory. U.S.A.: the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) - NASA. p. 72. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
- ^ "Mars Astrobiology Field Laboratory and the Search for Signs of Life". Mars Today. September 1, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
- ^ Leonard, Tom (July 6, 2009). "NASA experts scale back moon and Mars plans in face of Obama funding cut fears". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Set sights on Mars, moon pioneers urge". Mars Daily. July 20, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- doi:10.1130/G20681.1.
- ^ NASA Mars Global Surveyor
- ^ Arkani-Hamed, Jafar; Boutin, Daniel (July 20–25, 2003). "Polar Wander of Mars: Evidence from Magnetic Anomalies" (PDF). Sixth International Conference on Mars. Pasadena, California: Dordrecht, D. Reidel Publishing Co. Retrieved March 2, 2007.
- ^ Dartnell, L.R. et al., "Modelling the surface and subsurface Martian radiation environment: Implications for astrobiology," Geophysical Research Letters 34, L02207, doi:10,1029/2006GL027494, 2007.
- ^ "Mars Rovers Sharpen Questions About Livable Conditions". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
- ^ "A Concept for NASA's Mars 2016 Astrobiology Field Laboratory". SpaceRef. September 1, 2007. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
External links
- Astrobiology Field Laboratory Summary
- Mars Astrobiology Field Lab Rover (AFL) Mission Profile
- Final report of the Astrobiology Field Laboratory Science Steering Group (September 2006)