WISDOM (Water Ice and Subsurface Deposit Observation on Mars) is a

ground-penetrating radar Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a Geophysics, geophysical method that uses radar pulses to Geophysical imaging, image the subsurface. It is a non-intrusive method of surveying the sub-surface to investigate underground utilities such as concrete, ...

that is part of the science payload on board the

European Space Agency , owners = , headquarters = Paris, Île-de-France, France , coordinates = , spaceport = Guiana Space Centre , seal = File:ESA emblem seal.png , seal_size = 130px , image = Views in the Main Control Room (120 ...

''Rosalind Franklin'' rover, tasked to search for

biosignature A biosignature (sometimes called chemical fossil or molecular fossil) is any substance – such as an element, isotope, or molecule – or phenomenon that provides scientific evidence of past or present life. Measurable attribute ...

s and

biomarker In biomedical contexts, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are often measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissues to examine normal biological processes, p ...

s on Mars. The rover is planned to be launched in August–October 2022 and land on Mars in spring 2023.

Overview

The search for evidence of past or present life on Mars is the principal objective of the

ExoMars ExoMars (Exobiology on Mars) is an astrobiology programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). The goals of ExoMars are to search for signs of past life on Mars, investigate how the Martian water and geochemical environment varies, investigate ...

programme. If such evidence exists, it will most likely be in the subsurface, where organic molecules are shielded from the destructive effects of ionizing radiation and atmospheric oxidants. For this reason, the ''Rosalind Franklin'' rover mission has been optimized to investigate the subsurface and sample those locations where conditions for the preservation of evidence of past life are most likely to be found. WISDOM is a step frequency radar that operates in the frequency range from 0.5 to 3 GHz. It will provide high-resolution 3D imaging down to a depth of 3 metres. WISDOM will use

UHF Ultra high frequency (UHF) is the ITU designation for radio frequencies in the range between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz), also known as the decimetre band as the wavelengths range from one meter to one tenth of a meter (on ...

radar pulses to provide the three-dimensional geological context of the shallow subsurface underneath the ExoMars rover.WISDOM (Water Ice and Subsurface Deposit Observation on Mars). European Space Agency
Accessed 25 July 2018. It will be used to identify optimal drilling sites and to ensure the safety of the

core drill A modern core drill is a drill A drill is a tool used for making round holes or driving fasteners. It is fitted with a bit, either a drill or driverchuck. Hand-operated types are dramatically decreasing in popularity and cordless batter ...

, as well as investigate the local distribution and state of subsurface water ice and brine. It can transmit and receive signals using two, small Vivaldi-antennas mounted on the aft section of the rover. Electromagnetic waves penetrating into the ground are reflected at places where there is a sudden transition in the electrical parameters of the soil. By studying these reflections it is possible to construct a stratigraphic map of the subsurface and identify underground targets down to in depth, comparable to the reach of the rover's drill. These data, combined with those produced by the PanCam and by the analyses carried out on previously collected samples, will be used to support drilling activities. Field tests with a remote-controlled rover, show that WISDOM can be operated continuously while the rover is in motion at a reduced speed of approximately 20 m/h. All WISDOM data will be relayed to Earth via

ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO or ExoMars Orbiter) is a collaborative project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Roscosmos agency that sent an atmospheric research orbiter and the ''Schiaparelli'' demonstration lander ...

, and processing will be performed on Earth. The WISDOM team consists of scientists from France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Austria, United Kingdom and the United States. The Principal Investigator is Valérie Ciarletti, from LATMOS, France. The Co-Principal Investigator is Svein-Erik Hamran from Norway.

References

{{Use British English, date=July 2018 ExoMars Spacecraft instruments Astrobiology Space radars Geophysical imaging

Overview

See also

References