The Incorporation of Field Portable Instrumentation Into Human Planetary Surface Exploration

Abstract

Field portable instrumentation, such as in situ geochemical analyzers or broader field of view instruments like multispectral imagers or other imaging capabilities, has the potential to dramatically increase the science return of a planetary surface exploration mission. However, more work is needed to determine how emerging portable technologies should be designed and implemented into evolving mission architectures. This work summarizes the efforts of the RIS4E (Remote, In Situ and Synchrotron Studies for Science and Exploration) SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute) team in investigating how field portable instruments should be including into planning for future exploration EVAs (extravehicular activities). EVA crews of geologists and astronauts tested a variety of portable and handheld technologies at both the December 1974 lava flow, Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i, and Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico, both of which are planetary analog sites. The timeline data gathered during instrument deployment were then mapped onto EVA timelines used in large‐scale NASA planetary surface exploration analog missions. Results and recommendations for future instrument hardware and software development are discussed, as is the operational framework necessary for incorporating in situ analytical capabilities into future planetary surface exploration.

Incorporation of Portable Infrared Spectral Imaging Into Planetary Geological Field Work: Analog Studies at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico

“…The workflow adopted in this work (Figure a) is based on limited technology and currently available commercial resources. The time needed to make measurements in the field ranges from approximately 15 to 35 min; this time includes tripod and calibration target setup (Young et al, ). Furthermore, emissivity derivation and false colored image production requires an access to a computer and necessitates more time.…”

“…Spectral imaging is used as one of the aids to members of the RIS 4 E team that simulate geological field work during Extravehicular Activities (EVA) on other planetary surfaces (Young et al, ). The sampling workflow adopted in this work using our currently available spectral instruments is shown in Figure a.…”

“…Spectral images are acquired during EVA, and then in situ chemical or mineralogical point measurements are acquired by the field team. In some locations, samples are also collected (Young et al, , ). Images are processed later by the instrument team members and provided to the field team in order to determine the representation of collected samples and/or in situ measurements in a particular location, identify possible unsampled targets for future analysis, and document spatial relationships among different units.…”

“…Hardware and operation tests conducted in field campaigns that simulate planetary scenarios frequently bring valuable knowledge that contributes to preparation for human missions to planetary bodies (e.g., Desert Research and Technology Studies; Abercromby et al, ; Eppler et al, ; Hӧrz et al, ; Hurtado et al, ; Ross et al, ; Young et al, ). The sample collection workflow during future human missions to planetary bodies will likely benefit from portable/hand‐held geochemical and mineralogical instruments (Hurtado et al, ; Young et al, , , ). Rapid, in situ analyses of geological materials will allow astronauts to make strategic and tactical decisions most fit for the scientific objectives of the mission.…”

“…This work presents the outcomes and assessments of the incorporation efforts of portable infrared spectral imaging during our expeditions at the RIS 4 E field sites, Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico. A second article in this volume summarizes the lessons learned from the full instrumentation suite tested at both RIS 4 E sites (Young et al, ).…”