The proposed effort will result in maps of the geology and near-surface properties of the insight landing site. This effort will directly support tactical decisions regarding the placement of seis and…

This federal contract award to the Smithsonian Institution, doing business as the Office of Sponsored Projects, is focused on constraining the geology and near-surface properties of the InSight landing site on Mars. The proposed effort will result in detailed maps and characterization of the landing site to support tactical decisions regarding the placement of the SEIS and HP3 instruments. The $286,161.53 grant award, from a civilian federal agency, will leverage the Smithsonian's expertise in analyzing lander data for geologic mapping and grain property analysis. The work is not associated with a set-aside contract and is being conducted in support of the broader InSight Mars mission objectives.

The proposed effort will result in maps of the geology and near-surface properties of the insight landing site. This effort will directly support tactical decisions regarding the placement of seis and HP3, and will characterize the geology of a new location on mars. Our team members, are experts in analyses of lander data for geologic mapping and constraint of grain properties and are well-equipped to accomplish these objectives, task 1 coincides with the insight deployment phase and will utilize data from the IDC and ICC cameras to optimize placement of the seis and HP3 instruments in the lander workspace. To achieve this objective, we will map and evaluate the sub-centimeter to decameter scale morphology, local sedimentology, and stratigraphy at the insight landing site. The PI will serve on the isswg and will measure local grain properties and define depositional environments that allow: 1) identifying and characterizing high priority targets in the workspace digital terrain model (DTM); 2) helping interpretation of thermal inertial properties from RAD and extrapolating results to the workspace; and 3) constrain the probable distribution of workspace materials to several meters depth to predict materials encountered by HP3. Possible excavations made using the IDA scoop will help establish ground truth and soil physical properties (e.g., to interpret lag deposits that could relate to subsurface properties encountered by HP3). We will rapidly interpret lander data for input into isswg tactical operations and help guide assessment and certification of sites for seis and HP3 deployment. Task 2 largely coincides with the science monitoring phase and the proposed objective will more broadly characterize the geology of landing site via detailed mapping using stereo panorama images from the IDC (emphasizing the 360-degree IDC panorama if acquired) and ICC images collected during both the deployment and science monitoring phases of the mission. We will constrain the geomorphic history of the landing site within the context established prior to landing from orbital mapping. We will also utilize local outcrop and deposit morphology, structure, and grain properties to determine the geologic evolution of the surface and to provide important ground truth for understanding a new, widespread, but poorly understood terrain: the early hesperian transition unit (EHT) mapped along the dichotomy boundary. Based on pre-landing mapping we anticipate impact, volcanic, and eolian wind processes dominated shaping of the insight landing site, but will also consider contributions by other processes. Monitoring of eolian features to detect potential changes with time will also be analyzed using IDC and ICC images. The PI grant has experience mapping depositional environments around simple terrestrial craters likely analogous to impact craters and terrain encountered at the insight landing site. Moreover, the proposal team assists in mapping the changeable settings along the MER and MSL traverses towards understanding setting. CO-i weitz has experience with analysis of grain/rock properties in mars outcrops and surficial deposits and change detection pertinent to understanding seis and HP3 placement. Collaborator purdy will assist in GIS-based mapping during both tasks. The team has a record of success using proposed methods to achieve MER and MSL mission objectives and will do the same for insight. The proposal builds on the PI's experience in operations as an sowg chair and LTP on the MER and MSL rovers, respectively. Work by CO-i weitz builds on her involvement in operations as a surface properties scientist on MSL and analysis of grain size properties on eolian bedforms at gale crater. Collaborator wilson is active in MER and MSL science analyses and was a documentarian on MSL. All are ready to serve in operations roles as members of the isswg and during all insight mission phases in any capacity needed.