Microseismometer for ExoMars 04/2009 - 6/2009
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Abstract
Landing a seismometer on Mars will answer one the most important unknown questions about the Martian environment, is Mars still geologically active? We can see evidence for ancient geological activity on Mars in many forms (e.g. the giant volcanoes such as Olympus Mons), but the current level of Martian geological activity is a mystery. On the Earth and Moon (and also the Sun) seismic studies have been used to probe both deep and local internal structure / our models of the Earth with a deep molten core, mantle and crust are based on modelling the propagation of seismic events (e.g. Earth quakes) through the Earth. A seismic station on Mars will give us a glimpse into the interior of another terrestrial planet for the first time ever. A seismic study of Mars has been one of the highest priorities for Martian exploration for at least the last ten years. The silicon microseismometer described in this proposal represents a unique opportunity for the UK to participate in the geophysical science of ExoMars within Aurora. The microseismometer is a critical sensor for in-situ Mars exploration and will provide data on the key questions of Martian seismicity and internal structure. If, as expected, a significant number of natural sources on Mars produce large events the instrument will be able to provide information on: 1, Source distance 2, An estimate of the source direction. 3, An approximate value for the depth of the source. These measurements will reveal the level and type of internal activity on present-day Mars. For example, are there deep events of any kind within Mars, and if so, do they tell us anything about large-scale mantle convection? Once the approximate source location has been determined, the data can then be used to study the Mars' internal structure, specifically: 1, Measure the depth to the core/mantle boundary. 2, Measure the thickness of the crust 3, Look for small and large scale sub-surface structure. As well as probing the deep structure of Mars, the microseismometer will be used to investigate local structure using small local sources such as dust-devils, dust-storms and even the motion and activity of the ExoMars rover itself and will provide a geological context for the ExoMars science results. The microseismometer will have important applications for use on other missions (e.g. future seismic stations on Mars or the Moon) as well as on the Earth. The sensor and electronics are being designed to work at extreme temperatures (150K (-123C)) and for extended periods of time (2 Martian years, approximately 4 Earth years). This results in a robust design ideal for adaptation to harsh environments on the Earth, such as ocean bottom seismic networks or volcanic monitoring.
People |
ORCID iD |
William Pike (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Banerdt W
(2020)
Initial results from the InSight mission on Mars
in Nature Geoscience
Delahunty A
(2014)
Metal-armouring for shock protection of MEMS
in Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
Fayon L
(2018)
A Numerical Model of the SEIS Leveling System Transfer Matrix and Resonances: Application to SEIS Rotational Seismology and Dynamic Ground Interaction
in Space Science Reviews
Golombek M
(2018)
Geology and Physical Properties Investigations by the InSight Lander
in Space Science Reviews
Köllensperger P
(2012)
Patterning of platinum (Pt) thin films by chemical wet etching in Aqua Regia
in Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering
Lognonné P
(2019)
SEIS: Insight's Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure of Mars.
in Space science reviews
Morgan P
(2018)
A Pre-Landing Assessment of Regolith Properties at the InSight Landing Site
in Space Science Reviews
Teanby N
(2016)
Seismic Coupling of Short-Period Wind Noise Through Mars' Regolith for NASA's InSight Lander
in Space Science Reviews
Vance SD
(2018)
Vital Signs: Seismology of Icy Ocean Worlds.
in Astrobiology
Description | Development of a microseismometer for Mars |
Exploitation Route | Use in terrestrial seismic investigations |
Sectors | Energy Environment |
Description | To build a seismometer for the InSight mission to Mars |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | InSight Mission |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Department | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provision of a microseismometer for the 2016 Insight mission to Mars |
Collaborator Contribution | NASA: provision of spacecraft CNES: integration of micro seismometer with other elements of the SEIS payload JPL: integration of SEIS with the other elements of the InSight payload |
Impact | Accommodation of a microseismometer on the 2016 InSight mission |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | InSight Mission |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provision of a microseismometer for the 2016 Insight mission to Mars |
Collaborator Contribution | NASA: provision of spacecraft CNES: integration of micro seismometer with other elements of the SEIS payload JPL: integration of SEIS with the other elements of the InSight payload |
Impact | Accommodation of a microseismometer on the 2016 InSight mission |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | InSight Mission |
Organisation | National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) |
Country | France |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Provision of a microseismometer for the 2016 Insight mission to Mars |
Collaborator Contribution | NASA: provision of spacecraft CNES: integration of micro seismometer with other elements of the SEIS payload JPL: integration of SEIS with the other elements of the InSight payload |
Impact | Accommodation of a microseismometer on the 2016 InSight mission |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | BBC radio and television appearances |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public outreach on Mars exploration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Participation in the BBC's How to put a Human on Mars |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | High level of public interest in terms of response to website Appearance at the Imperial Science Festival |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23349496 |