American Geophysical Union Become an AGU Member
Subscribe to AGU Journals		 AGU Home AGU Publications

Read Full Article (file size: 3145116 bytes)    Cited by

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 111, E06S11, doi:10.1029/2005JE002528, 2006

A study of P-band synthetic aperture radar applicability and performance for Mars exploration: Imaging subsurface geology and detecting shallow moisture

Philippe Paillou

Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers, UMR 5804, Floirac, France


Yannick Lasne

Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers, UMR 5804, Floirac, France


Essam Heggy

Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, Texas, USA


Jean-Marie Malézieux

Université Bordeaux 3, UMR 5804-L3AB, Floirac, France


Gilles Ruffié

Laboratoire PIOM, UMR 5501, ENSCPB, Pessac, France


Abstract

Over the past decade, orbital images of the Martian surface revealed key evidence about the history of the planet environment (craters, faults, paleo-lakes, and rivers), partially hidden under a widespread layer of aeolian deposits. Furthermore, several recent observations and studies support the hypothesis that water could be found in the shallow subsurface of Mars. Low-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has demonstrated its subsurface imaging capabilities on Earth, especially in arid regions. While SAR potentials for Mars exploration have already been widely discussed, we present here results of a theoretical and parametric study, based on the experience we gained from terrestrial surveys on Mars analog test sites, which evaluates the capabilities of a P-band (430 MHz) SAR for Mars exploration for both shallow subsurface geology mapping and moisture detection. We suggest that a P-band polarimetric SAR can probe the first meters of the Martian subsurface to reveal the dust-covered geology and to monitor moisture changes over large scales.

Received 8 July 2005; accepted 26 October 2005; published 28 April 2006.

Keywords: Mars; radar; subsurface.

Index Terms: 5464 Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote sensing; 6225 Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars; 0669 Electromagnetics: Scattering and diffraction; 1866 Hydrology: Soil moisture.

Read Full Article (file size: 3145116 bytes)    Cited by

Citation: Paillou, P., Y. Lasne, E. Heggy, J.-M. Malézieux, and G. Ruffié (2006), A study of P-band synthetic aperture radar applicability and performance for Mars exploration: Imaging subsurface geology and detecting shallow moisture, J. Geophys. Res., 111, E06S11, doi:10.1029/2005JE002528.