Geophysical evolution of the martian crust from magnetic source depth analysis of maven data
Active Grant For Research Awarded Last action
- Contract number
- 80NSSC22K1078
- Awardee
-
University Of Alabama UEI RCNJEHZ83EV6
- Awarding agency
-
Shared Services Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Obligated
- $490,921
Award facts
- Contract value 100% obligated
- $490,921.00 Current and potential, with all options
- Completion date 96% complete
- Current and potential, with all options
- Contracting staff
- NAICS code
- Not on record
- PSC
- AJ11 General Science And Technology R&D Services; General Science And Technology; Basic Research
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
- Competition
- Full and Open Competition Basic Research
- Pricing
- Other
- Place of performance
- Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
Award details come from SAM.gov/FPDS.
Transactions
| Action | Obligated | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Other Administrative Action | $0 | |
| Funding Only Action | $175,409 | |
| Funding Only Action | $182,399 | |
| Original award | $133,113 |
About this award
The University of Alabama's Office for Sponsored Programs has been awarded a $490,921 research grant effective January 1, 2023, with completion targeted for December 31, 2026. This civilian-funded grant supports geophysical research analyzing the Martian crustal magnetic field using data collected by NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) satellite. The research addresses two fundamental questions about Mars' geological history: whether strong magnetic signals in the Terra Cimmeria and Sirenum region resulted from serpentinization processes that could have generated molecular hydrogen to support early microbial life, and what geologic processes produced the weak crustal magnetic fields observed in the Northern Hemisphere. The project employs new methodological approaches to constrain magnetic source depths with greater precision than existing global crustal magnetic field models, which currently carry unacceptable uncertainty ranges that extend from above the planetary surface into the mantle.
This grant was awarded without set-aside designation through open competitive selection based on technical merit. The research leverages decades of magnetic field data initially collected by NASA's Mars Global Surveyor satellite, combined with more recent MAVEN observations and advanced analytical techniques to overcome limitations in previous modeling approaches. By developing improved source depth estimation methods that avoid biasing artifacts introduced by global models attempting to simultaneously fit weak and strong magnetic field regions, the University of Alabama will provide critical insights into the crustal structure and geophysical evolution of Mars relevant to both planetary science and the assessment of Mars' past habitability.
Quick answers
Who was awarded contract 80NSSC22K1078?
80NSSC22K1078 was awarded to University Of Alabama by Shared Services Center (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) on January 1, 2023.
How much is contract 80NSSC22K1078 worth?
The government has obligated $490,921 on 80NSSC22K1078.
Was contract 80NSSC22K1078 competed?
The extent of competition for 80NSSC22K1078 was full and open competition.
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