The Martian Subsurface Investigation: Ma_MISS on ExoMars

Abstract:

Ma_MISS (Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies) experiment is the Visible and Near Infrared miniaturized spectrometer in the drill system of the ExoMars rover (De Sanctis et al.,2017, Vago et al., 2017). The main goal of the Ma_MISS instrument is to study the Martian subsurface environment. Access to the Martian subsurface is crucial to constrain the nature, timing and duration of alteration and sedimentation processes on Mars, as well as habitability conditions. Subsurface deposits likely host and preserve water ice and hydrated materials diagnostic for understanding the water geochemical environment at the landing site.

Ma_MISS will perform infrared spectral reflectance investigations in the 0.5–2.3 μm range to characterize the mineralogy of Martian subsurface at different depths (up to 2 m). Ma_MISS will obtain hyperspectral images of the borehole, with a spectral sampling of 20 nm and spatial resolution of 120 μm. Results obtained in the lab on mineral/rock samples confirm that the Ma_MISS spectrometer has a spectral range, resolution and imaging capabilities suitable for the Mars subsurface characterization (De Sanctis et al., 2017, De Angelis, 2017). The spectra acquired with the Ma_MISS fine spatial resolution (120 μm) show minerals that are not recognizable at coarser resolution. Ma_MISS is the only instrument in the rover’s Pasteur payload able to analyze subsurface material in its natural condition (in situ), prior to extracting samples for further analysis.

This work is supported by ASI: Accordo ASI INAF n. 2017-48-H.0

Vago et al., ASTROBIOLOGY, Volume 17, Numbers 6 and 7, 2017, 471-510.

De sanctis et al., ASTROBIOLOGY, Volume 17, Numbers 6 and 7, 2017, 612–620.

De Angelis et al. (2017): PSS, 144, DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2017.06.005