Mixing
How could InSight's seismometers be intentionally and meaningfully “pinged”?
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I had a friend whose summer job, a long long time ago, was to travel around an unsuspecting rural area, lay a heavy steel plate on the ground, and whack the plate with a sledge hammer. Apparently he also had some kind of seismometer or accelerometer nearby. This was apparently a cheap and dirty way to get some idea of the soil and rock below the surface.
This was on Earth, not Mars.
The question InSight and active pinging of Mars asks about generating artificial seismic events on Mars for InSight's seismometers to listen to. @DrSheldon's answer mentions that this is not part of the plan; that InSight is expected to return meaningful data without this.
It doesn't mean that it wouldn't benefit from it though.
What kinds of schemes might a frugal and/or clever space agency use to generate seismic events that would be meaningful and useful for InSight measurements of Mars?
I can imagine two classes, one to help verify nothing is wrong, so something local perhaps, and the other far enough away to give geological or even planetary information.
mars planetary-science geology insight
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I had a friend whose summer job, a long long time ago, was to travel around an unsuspecting rural area, lay a heavy steel plate on the ground, and whack the plate with a sledge hammer. Apparently he also had some kind of seismometer or accelerometer nearby. This was apparently a cheap and dirty way to get some idea of the soil and rock below the surface.
This was on Earth, not Mars.
The question InSight and active pinging of Mars asks about generating artificial seismic events on Mars for InSight's seismometers to listen to. @DrSheldon's answer mentions that this is not part of the plan; that InSight is expected to return meaningful data without this.
It doesn't mean that it wouldn't benefit from it though.
What kinds of schemes might a frugal and/or clever space agency use to generate seismic events that would be meaningful and useful for InSight measurements of Mars?
I can imagine two classes, one to help verify nothing is wrong, so something local perhaps, and the other far enough away to give geological or even planetary information.
mars planetary-science geology insight
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
4
Maybe inSight could use its own self-hammering mole to generate very small local seismic events
– Dragongeek
yesterday
@Dragongeek I think this question can end up with several answers. I didn't know InSight had a mole, but that might be better than a woodpecker! ;-)
– uhoh
yesterday
2
@Dragongeek - My idea was to lay down a stick of dynamite, light the fuse and run. But yeah, a hammer works, too. :)
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
3
@DonBranson was the running part of your ideas as well? Very clever! :O
– uhoh
23 hours ago
3
@uhoh Not at first. It's all about learning from your mistakes.
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
I had a friend whose summer job, a long long time ago, was to travel around an unsuspecting rural area, lay a heavy steel plate on the ground, and whack the plate with a sledge hammer. Apparently he also had some kind of seismometer or accelerometer nearby. This was apparently a cheap and dirty way to get some idea of the soil and rock below the surface.
This was on Earth, not Mars.
The question InSight and active pinging of Mars asks about generating artificial seismic events on Mars for InSight's seismometers to listen to. @DrSheldon's answer mentions that this is not part of the plan; that InSight is expected to return meaningful data without this.
It doesn't mean that it wouldn't benefit from it though.
What kinds of schemes might a frugal and/or clever space agency use to generate seismic events that would be meaningful and useful for InSight measurements of Mars?
I can imagine two classes, one to help verify nothing is wrong, so something local perhaps, and the other far enough away to give geological or even planetary information.
mars planetary-science geology insight
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
I had a friend whose summer job, a long long time ago, was to travel around an unsuspecting rural area, lay a heavy steel plate on the ground, and whack the plate with a sledge hammer. Apparently he also had some kind of seismometer or accelerometer nearby. This was apparently a cheap and dirty way to get some idea of the soil and rock below the surface.
This was on Earth, not Mars.
The question InSight and active pinging of Mars asks about generating artificial seismic events on Mars for InSight's seismometers to listen to. @DrSheldon's answer mentions that this is not part of the plan; that InSight is expected to return meaningful data without this.
It doesn't mean that it wouldn't benefit from it though.
What kinds of schemes might a frugal and/or clever space agency use to generate seismic events that would be meaningful and useful for InSight measurements of Mars?
I can imagine two classes, one to help verify nothing is wrong, so something local perhaps, and the other far enough away to give geological or even planetary information.
mars planetary-science geology insight
mars planetary-science geology insight
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
edited 16 hours ago
Malandy
1395
1395
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
asked yesterday
uhoh
32.3k16112399
32.3k16112399
4
Maybe inSight could use its own self-hammering mole to generate very small local seismic events
– Dragongeek
yesterday
@Dragongeek I think this question can end up with several answers. I didn't know InSight had a mole, but that might be better than a woodpecker! ;-)
– uhoh
yesterday
2
@Dragongeek - My idea was to lay down a stick of dynamite, light the fuse and run. But yeah, a hammer works, too. :)
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
3
@DonBranson was the running part of your ideas as well? Very clever! :O
– uhoh
23 hours ago
3
@uhoh Not at first. It's all about learning from your mistakes.
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
4
Maybe inSight could use its own self-hammering mole to generate very small local seismic events
– Dragongeek
yesterday
@Dragongeek I think this question can end up with several answers. I didn't know InSight had a mole, but that might be better than a woodpecker! ;-)
– uhoh
yesterday
2
@Dragongeek - My idea was to lay down a stick of dynamite, light the fuse and run. But yeah, a hammer works, too. :)
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
3
@DonBranson was the running part of your ideas as well? Very clever! :O
– uhoh
23 hours ago
3
@uhoh Not at first. It's all about learning from your mistakes.
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
4
4
Maybe inSight could use its own self-hammering mole to generate very small local seismic events
– Dragongeek
yesterday
Maybe inSight could use its own self-hammering mole to generate very small local seismic events
– Dragongeek
yesterday
@Dragongeek I think this question can end up with several answers. I didn't know InSight had a mole, but that might be better than a woodpecker! ;-)
– uhoh
yesterday
@Dragongeek I think this question can end up with several answers. I didn't know InSight had a mole, but that might be better than a woodpecker! ;-)
– uhoh
yesterday
2
2
@Dragongeek - My idea was to lay down a stick of dynamite, light the fuse and run. But yeah, a hammer works, too. :)
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
@Dragongeek - My idea was to lay down a stick of dynamite, light the fuse and run. But yeah, a hammer works, too. :)
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
3
3
@DonBranson was the running part of your ideas as well? Very clever! :O
– uhoh
23 hours ago
@DonBranson was the running part of your ideas as well? Very clever! :O
– uhoh
23 hours ago
3
3
@uhoh Not at first. It's all about learning from your mistakes.
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
@uhoh Not at first. It's all about learning from your mistakes.
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
15
down vote
The traditional method (as used in the Apollo project) was to crash used SIVB stages into the Moon.
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
Since there may not be too many of those left, nor (at least) an easy way to get one to Mars, I wonder what other item might serve as an SIVB proxy?
– uhoh
yesterday
Any rocket stage would do. Other objects of known weight and impact speed would also be useful. Maybe someone will get to Mars some day with a spaceship that has a huge mass budget that can deliver an impactor.
– Hobbes
yesterday
3
There are a bunch of landers on Mars due in 2020. digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/future-mars-missions/2 apart the landers, each will probably have at least a heatshield and backshell impacting independently
– Steve Linton
yesterday
3
There are a lot of spacecraft orbiting Mars right now. It's likely at least one of them will fail during InSight's lifetime, and so the scenario in this answer is quite plausible.+1
– Dr Sheldon
yesterday
4
This has been tried on Mars with the Mars Climate Orbiter. :-)
– Martin Schröder
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
7
down vote
Let's examine what's already on InSight:
A seismometer (SEIS). It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense windstorms, dust devils, and the tidal forces of Mars' moon. To isolate the sensors from motions of the main body of InSight, SEIS is in its own pod that will be placed a few feet away by a robotic arm, and attached by an umbilical.
The sensors can be recorded during the "impact" of this placement process, and there is a small chance that something useful could be learned from the results.
A burrowing temperature probe (HP3). It will be placed by the robotic arm, and then dig with an impact hammer up to 5 meters depth. The head of the "mole" is attached with a cable that has temperature sensors along its length.
The vibrations caused by dropping the mole, as well as its digging, could possibly help the seismometer map out the nearby subsurface geology.
An X-band radio (RISE). This transmitter and transponder will work with antennas in the Deep Space Network to locate the position (within 2 cm) and velocity of Mars. It doesn't seem to have any moving components to create a seismic "ping".
The aforementioned arm. This could be manipulated to "thump" the surface around the lander.
Other sensors include pressure, temperature, wind direction and speed, and magnetic field. There is a laser retroreflector on the deck, a color stereo camera on the arm, and a color panoramic camera below the deck. I don't see how any of these could be used to create a seismic "ping".
Finally, the usual spacecraft components: landing legs, solar panels, computer, antennas, etc.
Therefore, the spacecraft itself has a limited capability to produce some seismic "pings", which might reveal the nearby subsurface geology. The most revealing observations will be by passive seismology and the other instruments.
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense ... the tidal forces of Mars' moon.Considering Mars' moons are only 7.7 and 14 miles across, that's amazing!
– Andy
32 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
To address the problem with martian atmosphere - maybe an impactor with high explosives could be better. Something like Tallboy bomb.
I think energy of the impact will not be higher than from a meteorite impact. Probably even much less. But intended impact have some big advantage - we know where and when exactly it happened. It can be very useful for calibration of seismic velocities model of Mars.
The main problem is cost, of course. The impactor should be specially designed. Stuff like old satellites or rocket stages is not dense enough and not stiff enough to impact martian surface with enough energy after encounter with the atmosphere. The impactor mission would cost at least 100-200 mln $ including launch.
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
I think impactors (kinetic devices) and explosives can be completely separate and alternative solutions and could be discussed individually.
– uhoh
yesterday
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
15
down vote
The traditional method (as used in the Apollo project) was to crash used SIVB stages into the Moon.
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
Since there may not be too many of those left, nor (at least) an easy way to get one to Mars, I wonder what other item might serve as an SIVB proxy?
– uhoh
yesterday
Any rocket stage would do. Other objects of known weight and impact speed would also be useful. Maybe someone will get to Mars some day with a spaceship that has a huge mass budget that can deliver an impactor.
– Hobbes
yesterday
3
There are a bunch of landers on Mars due in 2020. digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/future-mars-missions/2 apart the landers, each will probably have at least a heatshield and backshell impacting independently
– Steve Linton
yesterday
3
There are a lot of spacecraft orbiting Mars right now. It's likely at least one of them will fail during InSight's lifetime, and so the scenario in this answer is quite plausible.+1
– Dr Sheldon
yesterday
4
This has been tried on Mars with the Mars Climate Orbiter. :-)
– Martin Schröder
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
15
down vote
The traditional method (as used in the Apollo project) was to crash used SIVB stages into the Moon.
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
Since there may not be too many of those left, nor (at least) an easy way to get one to Mars, I wonder what other item might serve as an SIVB proxy?
– uhoh
yesterday
Any rocket stage would do. Other objects of known weight and impact speed would also be useful. Maybe someone will get to Mars some day with a spaceship that has a huge mass budget that can deliver an impactor.
– Hobbes
yesterday
3
There are a bunch of landers on Mars due in 2020. digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/future-mars-missions/2 apart the landers, each will probably have at least a heatshield and backshell impacting independently
– Steve Linton
yesterday
3
There are a lot of spacecraft orbiting Mars right now. It's likely at least one of them will fail during InSight's lifetime, and so the scenario in this answer is quite plausible.+1
– Dr Sheldon
yesterday
4
This has been tried on Mars with the Mars Climate Orbiter. :-)
– Martin Schröder
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
15
down vote
up vote
15
down vote
The traditional method (as used in the Apollo project) was to crash used SIVB stages into the Moon.
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
The traditional method (as used in the Apollo project) was to crash used SIVB stages into the Moon.
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
answered yesterday
Hobbes
81.9k2224367
81.9k2224367
Since there may not be too many of those left, nor (at least) an easy way to get one to Mars, I wonder what other item might serve as an SIVB proxy?
– uhoh
yesterday
Any rocket stage would do. Other objects of known weight and impact speed would also be useful. Maybe someone will get to Mars some day with a spaceship that has a huge mass budget that can deliver an impactor.
– Hobbes
yesterday
3
There are a bunch of landers on Mars due in 2020. digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/future-mars-missions/2 apart the landers, each will probably have at least a heatshield and backshell impacting independently
– Steve Linton
yesterday
3
There are a lot of spacecraft orbiting Mars right now. It's likely at least one of them will fail during InSight's lifetime, and so the scenario in this answer is quite plausible.+1
– Dr Sheldon
yesterday
4
This has been tried on Mars with the Mars Climate Orbiter. :-)
– Martin Schröder
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
Since there may not be too many of those left, nor (at least) an easy way to get one to Mars, I wonder what other item might serve as an SIVB proxy?
– uhoh
yesterday
Any rocket stage would do. Other objects of known weight and impact speed would also be useful. Maybe someone will get to Mars some day with a spaceship that has a huge mass budget that can deliver an impactor.
– Hobbes
yesterday
3
There are a bunch of landers on Mars due in 2020. digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/future-mars-missions/2 apart the landers, each will probably have at least a heatshield and backshell impacting independently
– Steve Linton
yesterday
3
There are a lot of spacecraft orbiting Mars right now. It's likely at least one of them will fail during InSight's lifetime, and so the scenario in this answer is quite plausible.+1
– Dr Sheldon
yesterday
4
This has been tried on Mars with the Mars Climate Orbiter. :-)
– Martin Schröder
yesterday
Since there may not be too many of those left, nor (at least) an easy way to get one to Mars, I wonder what other item might serve as an SIVB proxy?
– uhoh
yesterday
Since there may not be too many of those left, nor (at least) an easy way to get one to Mars, I wonder what other item might serve as an SIVB proxy?
– uhoh
yesterday
Any rocket stage would do. Other objects of known weight and impact speed would also be useful. Maybe someone will get to Mars some day with a spaceship that has a huge mass budget that can deliver an impactor.
– Hobbes
yesterday
Any rocket stage would do. Other objects of known weight and impact speed would also be useful. Maybe someone will get to Mars some day with a spaceship that has a huge mass budget that can deliver an impactor.
– Hobbes
yesterday
3
3
There are a bunch of landers on Mars due in 2020. digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/future-mars-missions/2 apart the landers, each will probably have at least a heatshield and backshell impacting independently
– Steve Linton
yesterday
There are a bunch of landers on Mars due in 2020. digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/future-mars-missions/2 apart the landers, each will probably have at least a heatshield and backshell impacting independently
– Steve Linton
yesterday
3
3
There are a lot of spacecraft orbiting Mars right now. It's likely at least one of them will fail during InSight's lifetime, and so the scenario in this answer is quite plausible.
+1– Dr Sheldon
yesterday
There are a lot of spacecraft orbiting Mars right now. It's likely at least one of them will fail during InSight's lifetime, and so the scenario in this answer is quite plausible.
+1– Dr Sheldon
yesterday
4
4
This has been tried on Mars with the Mars Climate Orbiter. :-)
– Martin Schröder
yesterday
This has been tried on Mars with the Mars Climate Orbiter. :-)
– Martin Schröder
yesterday
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
7
down vote
Let's examine what's already on InSight:
A seismometer (SEIS). It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense windstorms, dust devils, and the tidal forces of Mars' moon. To isolate the sensors from motions of the main body of InSight, SEIS is in its own pod that will be placed a few feet away by a robotic arm, and attached by an umbilical.
The sensors can be recorded during the "impact" of this placement process, and there is a small chance that something useful could be learned from the results.
A burrowing temperature probe (HP3). It will be placed by the robotic arm, and then dig with an impact hammer up to 5 meters depth. The head of the "mole" is attached with a cable that has temperature sensors along its length.
The vibrations caused by dropping the mole, as well as its digging, could possibly help the seismometer map out the nearby subsurface geology.
An X-band radio (RISE). This transmitter and transponder will work with antennas in the Deep Space Network to locate the position (within 2 cm) and velocity of Mars. It doesn't seem to have any moving components to create a seismic "ping".
The aforementioned arm. This could be manipulated to "thump" the surface around the lander.
Other sensors include pressure, temperature, wind direction and speed, and magnetic field. There is a laser retroreflector on the deck, a color stereo camera on the arm, and a color panoramic camera below the deck. I don't see how any of these could be used to create a seismic "ping".
Finally, the usual spacecraft components: landing legs, solar panels, computer, antennas, etc.
Therefore, the spacecraft itself has a limited capability to produce some seismic "pings", which might reveal the nearby subsurface geology. The most revealing observations will be by passive seismology and the other instruments.
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense ... the tidal forces of Mars' moon.Considering Mars' moons are only 7.7 and 14 miles across, that's amazing!
– Andy
32 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
Let's examine what's already on InSight:
A seismometer (SEIS). It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense windstorms, dust devils, and the tidal forces of Mars' moon. To isolate the sensors from motions of the main body of InSight, SEIS is in its own pod that will be placed a few feet away by a robotic arm, and attached by an umbilical.
The sensors can be recorded during the "impact" of this placement process, and there is a small chance that something useful could be learned from the results.
A burrowing temperature probe (HP3). It will be placed by the robotic arm, and then dig with an impact hammer up to 5 meters depth. The head of the "mole" is attached with a cable that has temperature sensors along its length.
The vibrations caused by dropping the mole, as well as its digging, could possibly help the seismometer map out the nearby subsurface geology.
An X-band radio (RISE). This transmitter and transponder will work with antennas in the Deep Space Network to locate the position (within 2 cm) and velocity of Mars. It doesn't seem to have any moving components to create a seismic "ping".
The aforementioned arm. This could be manipulated to "thump" the surface around the lander.
Other sensors include pressure, temperature, wind direction and speed, and magnetic field. There is a laser retroreflector on the deck, a color stereo camera on the arm, and a color panoramic camera below the deck. I don't see how any of these could be used to create a seismic "ping".
Finally, the usual spacecraft components: landing legs, solar panels, computer, antennas, etc.
Therefore, the spacecraft itself has a limited capability to produce some seismic "pings", which might reveal the nearby subsurface geology. The most revealing observations will be by passive seismology and the other instruments.
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense ... the tidal forces of Mars' moon.Considering Mars' moons are only 7.7 and 14 miles across, that's amazing!
– Andy
32 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
up vote
7
down vote
Let's examine what's already on InSight:
A seismometer (SEIS). It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense windstorms, dust devils, and the tidal forces of Mars' moon. To isolate the sensors from motions of the main body of InSight, SEIS is in its own pod that will be placed a few feet away by a robotic arm, and attached by an umbilical.
The sensors can be recorded during the "impact" of this placement process, and there is a small chance that something useful could be learned from the results.
A burrowing temperature probe (HP3). It will be placed by the robotic arm, and then dig with an impact hammer up to 5 meters depth. The head of the "mole" is attached with a cable that has temperature sensors along its length.
The vibrations caused by dropping the mole, as well as its digging, could possibly help the seismometer map out the nearby subsurface geology.
An X-band radio (RISE). This transmitter and transponder will work with antennas in the Deep Space Network to locate the position (within 2 cm) and velocity of Mars. It doesn't seem to have any moving components to create a seismic "ping".
The aforementioned arm. This could be manipulated to "thump" the surface around the lander.
Other sensors include pressure, temperature, wind direction and speed, and magnetic field. There is a laser retroreflector on the deck, a color stereo camera on the arm, and a color panoramic camera below the deck. I don't see how any of these could be used to create a seismic "ping".
Finally, the usual spacecraft components: landing legs, solar panels, computer, antennas, etc.
Therefore, the spacecraft itself has a limited capability to produce some seismic "pings", which might reveal the nearby subsurface geology. The most revealing observations will be by passive seismology and the other instruments.
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
Let's examine what's already on InSight:
A seismometer (SEIS). It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense windstorms, dust devils, and the tidal forces of Mars' moon. To isolate the sensors from motions of the main body of InSight, SEIS is in its own pod that will be placed a few feet away by a robotic arm, and attached by an umbilical.
The sensors can be recorded during the "impact" of this placement process, and there is a small chance that something useful could be learned from the results.
A burrowing temperature probe (HP3). It will be placed by the robotic arm, and then dig with an impact hammer up to 5 meters depth. The head of the "mole" is attached with a cable that has temperature sensors along its length.
The vibrations caused by dropping the mole, as well as its digging, could possibly help the seismometer map out the nearby subsurface geology.
An X-band radio (RISE). This transmitter and transponder will work with antennas in the Deep Space Network to locate the position (within 2 cm) and velocity of Mars. It doesn't seem to have any moving components to create a seismic "ping".
The aforementioned arm. This could be manipulated to "thump" the surface around the lander.
Other sensors include pressure, temperature, wind direction and speed, and magnetic field. There is a laser retroreflector on the deck, a color stereo camera on the arm, and a color panoramic camera below the deck. I don't see how any of these could be used to create a seismic "ping".
Finally, the usual spacecraft components: landing legs, solar panels, computer, antennas, etc.
Therefore, the spacecraft itself has a limited capability to produce some seismic "pings", which might reveal the nearby subsurface geology. The most revealing observations will be by passive seismology and the other instruments.
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
answered yesterday
Dr Sheldon
2,683935
2,683935
It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense ... the tidal forces of Mars' moon.Considering Mars' moons are only 7.7 and 14 miles across, that's amazing!
– Andy
32 mins ago
add a comment |
It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense ... the tidal forces of Mars' moon.Considering Mars' moons are only 7.7 and 14 miles across, that's amazing!
– Andy
32 mins ago
It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense ... the tidal forces of Mars' moon. Considering Mars' moons are only 7.7 and 14 miles across, that's amazing!– Andy
32 mins ago
It's so sensitive that it is expected to be able to sense ... the tidal forces of Mars' moon. Considering Mars' moons are only 7.7 and 14 miles across, that's amazing!– Andy
32 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
To address the problem with martian atmosphere - maybe an impactor with high explosives could be better. Something like Tallboy bomb.
I think energy of the impact will not be higher than from a meteorite impact. Probably even much less. But intended impact have some big advantage - we know where and when exactly it happened. It can be very useful for calibration of seismic velocities model of Mars.
The main problem is cost, of course. The impactor should be specially designed. Stuff like old satellites or rocket stages is not dense enough and not stiff enough to impact martian surface with enough energy after encounter with the atmosphere. The impactor mission would cost at least 100-200 mln $ including launch.
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
I think impactors (kinetic devices) and explosives can be completely separate and alternative solutions and could be discussed individually.
– uhoh
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
To address the problem with martian atmosphere - maybe an impactor with high explosives could be better. Something like Tallboy bomb.
I think energy of the impact will not be higher than from a meteorite impact. Probably even much less. But intended impact have some big advantage - we know where and when exactly it happened. It can be very useful for calibration of seismic velocities model of Mars.
The main problem is cost, of course. The impactor should be specially designed. Stuff like old satellites or rocket stages is not dense enough and not stiff enough to impact martian surface with enough energy after encounter with the atmosphere. The impactor mission would cost at least 100-200 mln $ including launch.
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
I think impactors (kinetic devices) and explosives can be completely separate and alternative solutions and could be discussed individually.
– uhoh
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
To address the problem with martian atmosphere - maybe an impactor with high explosives could be better. Something like Tallboy bomb.
I think energy of the impact will not be higher than from a meteorite impact. Probably even much less. But intended impact have some big advantage - we know where and when exactly it happened. It can be very useful for calibration of seismic velocities model of Mars.
The main problem is cost, of course. The impactor should be specially designed. Stuff like old satellites or rocket stages is not dense enough and not stiff enough to impact martian surface with enough energy after encounter with the atmosphere. The impactor mission would cost at least 100-200 mln $ including launch.
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
To address the problem with martian atmosphere - maybe an impactor with high explosives could be better. Something like Tallboy bomb.
I think energy of the impact will not be higher than from a meteorite impact. Probably even much less. But intended impact have some big advantage - we know where and when exactly it happened. It can be very useful for calibration of seismic velocities model of Mars.
The main problem is cost, of course. The impactor should be specially designed. Stuff like old satellites or rocket stages is not dense enough and not stiff enough to impact martian surface with enough energy after encounter with the atmosphere. The impactor mission would cost at least 100-200 mln $ including launch.
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
answered yesterday
Heopps
3,81111027
3,81111027
I think impactors (kinetic devices) and explosives can be completely separate and alternative solutions and could be discussed individually.
– uhoh
yesterday
add a comment |
I think impactors (kinetic devices) and explosives can be completely separate and alternative solutions and could be discussed individually.
– uhoh
yesterday
I think impactors (kinetic devices) and explosives can be completely separate and alternative solutions and could be discussed individually.
– uhoh
yesterday
I think impactors (kinetic devices) and explosives can be completely separate and alternative solutions and could be discussed individually.
– uhoh
yesterday
add a comment |
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4
Maybe inSight could use its own self-hammering mole to generate very small local seismic events
– Dragongeek
yesterday
@Dragongeek I think this question can end up with several answers. I didn't know InSight had a mole, but that might be better than a woodpecker! ;-)
– uhoh
yesterday
2
@Dragongeek - My idea was to lay down a stick of dynamite, light the fuse and run. But yeah, a hammer works, too. :)
– Don Branson
23 hours ago
3
@DonBranson was the running part of your ideas as well? Very clever! :O
– uhoh
23 hours ago
3
@uhoh Not at first. It's all about learning from your mistakes.
– Don Branson
23 hours ago