Periodic Reporting for period 2 - IN TIME (IN-SITU INSTRUMENT FOR MARS AND EARTH DATING APPLICATIONS)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-11-01 al 2023-10-31
As the ongoing robotic exploration to Mars has made some tantalizing discoveries, the next major step should be retrieving samples from the Martian surface, so they can be investigated in detail in terrestrial laboratories. However, considering the huge costs associated to such missions, an in-situ dating of rock samples is a more cost-effective approach. Accurate estimation of absolute ages is required in order to understand Mars surface and atmosphere evolutionary processes.
Furthermore, knowledge on occurrence and time frequency of such processes allow a hazard evaluation for locations/areas, essential for future deployments, missions and eventually humans on Mars. However, a chronology for recent events on Mars is problematic, as uncertainties associated with current methodology (crater counting) are comparable to the younger ages obtained (~ 1 Million years).
IN-TIME project addresses the technological and economic viability of a leading-edge instrument for dating of Mars’ surface: a miniaturized Luminescence dating instrument for in-situ examination. Thanks to the development of its innovative technology, and in addition to planetary exploration application, it will also address Earth's field applications as a light and portable dating instrument in geology and archaeology as well as a risk assessment tool for accident and emergency dosimetry and nuclear mass-casualty events. The project is funded under European Union H2020-MSCA-RISE-2018 research programme (G.A. n. 823934) and involve a consortium of seven European organizations and industries from Italy, Spain and Cyprus coordinated by ALMA Sistemi Srl and University of Texas as associated US partner to the project.
Furthermore, knowledge on occurrence and time frequency of such processes allow a hazard evaluation for locations/areas, essential for future deployments, missions and eventually humans on Mars. However, a chronology for recent events on Mars is problematic, as uncertainties associated with current methodology (crater counting) are comparable to the younger ages obtained (~ 1 Million years).
IN-TIME project addresses the technological and economic viability of a leading-edge instrument for dating of Mars’ surface: a miniaturized Luminescence dating instrument for in-situ examination. Thanks to the development of its innovative technology, and in addition to planetary exploration application, it will also address Earth's field applications as a light and portable dating instrument in geology and archaeology as well as a risk assessment tool for accident and emergency dosimetry and nuclear mass-casualty events. The project is funded under European Union H2020-MSCA-RISE-2018 research programme (G.A. n. 823934) and involve a consortium of seven European organizations and industries from Italy, Spain and Cyprus coordinated by ALMA Sistemi Srl and University of Texas as associated US partner to the project.
The project IN TIME did achieve all the objective stated in the Grant Agreement and in some area the results were widely over the expected outcome. In fact in the frame of project execution, despite the impact of COVID-19 pandemic,
a) Have been analysed and simulated the scientific and operational context of the instrument on a Martian environment as opposed to an Earth science framework providing scientific, technical and operational requirements. Scientific and mission requirements has been reviewed in order to derive specific technical requirements applicable to the Luminescence dating Instrument. These requirements were the baseline for the design of the Luminescence instrument prototype.
b) The Analysis of the Martian environment has been carried out in terms of , geology, mineralogy, climate evolution and radiation environment. An overall description of the surface composition of Mars using the available data has been carried out and a GIS-based archive has been developed and used to define areas where luminescence can be applied. Case studies have been characterised in Arabia Terra and detailed geological maps have been developed. Furthermore, a discussion of the current knowledge of the composition of the Mars surface and sub-surface has been carried out. A deep analysis of the Mars radiation environment and main simulation tools available at NASA and ESA has been carried out to determine the expected radiation level of the exposed minerals on Mars Surface.
c) Have been carried out a number of field campaign on a Mars analogue terrain to provide the set of samples required to test the scientific instrument. The activity involved the analysis, selection and execution of field campaigns for sample collection of suitable analogues terrains for instrument verification and validation. For the field campaign has been executed the study of the Martian analogue about mineralogy, geology, and climatic characteristics in the selected zone (Lanzarote) to identify the best samples areas. Samples have been collected from different geomorphological environments and analysed for luminescence, and, in some case compared with C14 technique.
d) Has been carried out the analysis, design and manufacturing of a functional breadboard of a miniaturized and portable instrument suitable for robotic exploration based on luminescence techniques. Three miniaturized models prototypes have been designed, developed and tested providing for each model improved functionalities and performance using new or improved engineering solutions and equipment.
e) A validation campaign carried out comparing the instrument measurements with the equivalent laboratory instruments provided evidence that the functional requirements have been met. The campaign demonstrated the functional equivalence of the developed prototype with similar equipment sonly suitable for specialized laboratories.
f) The analysis of the future exploitation measure provided a complete and robust “exploitation Plan” including the definition of the business model and future step to bring the project results in the market targeting both Earth science (mainly geology and archaeology) as well as future planetary mission to Mars.
The target exploitation of the results will be to provide a “product” (the “in situ” portable instrument to date rock samples and sediments useful in geology and archaeology) were only laboratory instrument are currently available on the market.
a) Have been analysed and simulated the scientific and operational context of the instrument on a Martian environment as opposed to an Earth science framework providing scientific, technical and operational requirements. Scientific and mission requirements has been reviewed in order to derive specific technical requirements applicable to the Luminescence dating Instrument. These requirements were the baseline for the design of the Luminescence instrument prototype.
b) The Analysis of the Martian environment has been carried out in terms of , geology, mineralogy, climate evolution and radiation environment. An overall description of the surface composition of Mars using the available data has been carried out and a GIS-based archive has been developed and used to define areas where luminescence can be applied. Case studies have been characterised in Arabia Terra and detailed geological maps have been developed. Furthermore, a discussion of the current knowledge of the composition of the Mars surface and sub-surface has been carried out. A deep analysis of the Mars radiation environment and main simulation tools available at NASA and ESA has been carried out to determine the expected radiation level of the exposed minerals on Mars Surface.
c) Have been carried out a number of field campaign on a Mars analogue terrain to provide the set of samples required to test the scientific instrument. The activity involved the analysis, selection and execution of field campaigns for sample collection of suitable analogues terrains for instrument verification and validation. For the field campaign has been executed the study of the Martian analogue about mineralogy, geology, and climatic characteristics in the selected zone (Lanzarote) to identify the best samples areas. Samples have been collected from different geomorphological environments and analysed for luminescence, and, in some case compared with C14 technique.
d) Has been carried out the analysis, design and manufacturing of a functional breadboard of a miniaturized and portable instrument suitable for robotic exploration based on luminescence techniques. Three miniaturized models prototypes have been designed, developed and tested providing for each model improved functionalities and performance using new or improved engineering solutions and equipment.
e) A validation campaign carried out comparing the instrument measurements with the equivalent laboratory instruments provided evidence that the functional requirements have been met. The campaign demonstrated the functional equivalence of the developed prototype with similar equipment sonly suitable for specialized laboratories.
f) The analysis of the future exploitation measure provided a complete and robust “exploitation Plan” including the definition of the business model and future step to bring the project results in the market targeting both Earth science (mainly geology and archaeology) as well as future planetary mission to Mars.
The target exploitation of the results will be to provide a “product” (the “in situ” portable instrument to date rock samples and sediments useful in geology and archaeology) were only laboratory instrument are currently available on the market.
The progress beyond the state of the art of the project can be found in the following areas:
• Improvement for K-feldspar, quartz sample collection and Luminescence procedures. In fact, On Earth Luminescence procedures mostly address quarts and the improvement is the specific K-feldspar sample collection procedures for fine grains and polyminerals.
• Surface dating (dating the last time the surface was exposed to sun light). The fields of application of the miniaturized instrument includes dating recent geological deposits. The use of luminescence techniques to address surface dating is new and it is fundamental for dunes dynamic (aeolian deposit like loess, dunes), surface derived from meteoritic impact (crater formation), mass movement’s deposit (landslide, subsidence etc.), lobate debris apron and archaeology (terrain stratigraphy).
• First dating of basalt derived deposit using luminescence based on Re-definition of late quaternary stratigraphy (case study in Lanzarote). Preliminary results obtained from Martian-analogue samples allowed the stratigraphic revision of the Quaternary deposits of Lanzarote. The analyses carried out on the samples have allowed obtaining not only the age of the deposits but also the understanding the origin of the minerals. The reliability of dating basalt with luminescence was therefore confirmed. In particular technique has been applied on polymineral fine grain (4-11µm) fraction.
• Selection of potential sites on Mars. A research to identify potential Mars analogue sites on Earth specifically addressing K-feldspar for Luminescence has never carried out up to now.
• Geological / geomorphological mapping of the selected sites on Mars. Detail of some geomorphologic features analogue to those recognized in Lanzarote (for the selection of best landing site for Luminescence research on Mars).
• Luminescence dating model prototype technical aspects (design & manufacturing). Miniaturization of the Luminescence dating instrument. Selection of X-ray source and photomultiplier, optical components, heating and cooling system with associated sensors. Selection of led IR and Vis most suitable for Luminescence for K-feldspar. Development of electronic, firmware and user friendly software tools to manage the instrument.
• Improvement for K-feldspar, quartz sample collection and Luminescence procedures. In fact, On Earth Luminescence procedures mostly address quarts and the improvement is the specific K-feldspar sample collection procedures for fine grains and polyminerals.
• Surface dating (dating the last time the surface was exposed to sun light). The fields of application of the miniaturized instrument includes dating recent geological deposits. The use of luminescence techniques to address surface dating is new and it is fundamental for dunes dynamic (aeolian deposit like loess, dunes), surface derived from meteoritic impact (crater formation), mass movement’s deposit (landslide, subsidence etc.), lobate debris apron and archaeology (terrain stratigraphy).
• First dating of basalt derived deposit using luminescence based on Re-definition of late quaternary stratigraphy (case study in Lanzarote). Preliminary results obtained from Martian-analogue samples allowed the stratigraphic revision of the Quaternary deposits of Lanzarote. The analyses carried out on the samples have allowed obtaining not only the age of the deposits but also the understanding the origin of the minerals. The reliability of dating basalt with luminescence was therefore confirmed. In particular technique has been applied on polymineral fine grain (4-11µm) fraction.
• Selection of potential sites on Mars. A research to identify potential Mars analogue sites on Earth specifically addressing K-feldspar for Luminescence has never carried out up to now.
• Geological / geomorphological mapping of the selected sites on Mars. Detail of some geomorphologic features analogue to those recognized in Lanzarote (for the selection of best landing site for Luminescence research on Mars).
• Luminescence dating model prototype technical aspects (design & manufacturing). Miniaturization of the Luminescence dating instrument. Selection of X-ray source and photomultiplier, optical components, heating and cooling system with associated sensors. Selection of led IR and Vis most suitable for Luminescence for K-feldspar. Development of electronic, firmware and user friendly software tools to manage the instrument.