Phase II Final Report - NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts

Planetary Exploration Using Biomimetics
An Entomopter for Flight on Mars
The magnetic field mapping requires use of a three-axis magnetometer. The magnetic field sensor
would need to be mounted in a location that minimizes magnetic field contamination from
other systems or instruments on the Entomopter. To minimize the magnetic signature of the
Entomopter, it should have as little magnetic materials within it as possible. Also, any magnetic
field-inducing devices (such as the power generation system) will have to be shielded and/or
properly grounded to minimize the magnetic field effects. The mass and power of this type of
device is on the order of 0.2 kg and 150 mW, respectively.
1.3.3.3 Near Infrared and Neutron Spectroscopy
The distribution of water (ice or liquid) is vital to the search for life. Neutron spectroscopy is a
powerful technique for detecting an excess of hydrogen to a depth of about a meter. Such a technique
can be implemented from orbit but has a resolution of several hundred kilometers. From
the Entomopter platform, the spatial resolution is several orders of magnitude better, so the
potential exists for locating kilometer-sized bodies or much smaller.
Mineralogy is a key tool for investigating the formation and geologic history of Mars. Near
infrared spectroscopy can be used to provide data on the mineralogy of Mars. This includes
measuring the pH, abundance and phase of water, atmospheric chemistry, temperature, and surface
pressure. It can also be useful in examining the geologic processes of the planet, such as
sedimentation, volcanism, and hydrothermal alteration.
Mineral makeup can be determined through near infrared absorption and spectroscopic evaluation.
This technique has been widely used in the past both on Earth and for planetary exploration.
(It was used on Phobos to determine surface-mineral composition.) Near infrared
spectroscopy (at the wavelengths between 0.7 mm and 2.5 mm) can provide information on soil
makeup and identify materials such as iron oxides, iron oxyhydroxides, carbonates, clays, olivines,
and pyroxenes, as well as establish their degree of crystallinity. This type of science will
allow the detection of these minerals and their abundance in the soil.
The objective of any near infrared spectroscopy investigation should be to link the mineralogy
with specific geologic formations on the planet (imagery), thereby providing a more detailed
understanding of the geologic processes of the planet.
The ability to perform imaging spectroscopy from the Entomopter vehicle probably will not be
possible (unless there are significant advances in sensor technology). Therefore, non-imaging
spectroscopy would be the applicable choice for this type of data collection. However, to get
useful data from a non-imaging spectroscopy system, it would need to be closely integrated with
the camera imaging.
1.3.3.4 Radar Sounding
Radar sounding can investigate subsurface structure and search for buried ground ice and subsurface
water. This type of exploration from orbiting space craft has been proposed, but by performing
this from 100 m or so above the surface, increased spatial and depth resolution can be
achieved. Aerial radar sounders have a proven capability to detect subsurface water beneath glacial
ice at a depth of up to 4 km with more than 100 subglacial lakes identified in Antarctica.
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Phase II Final Report