Dataset Information

Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration.

ABSTRACT: Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation, we have now acquired cave data across our solar system-including the identification of potential cave entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least nine other planetary bodies. These discoveries gave rise to the study of planetary caves. To help advance this field, we leveraged the expertise of an interdisciplinary group to identify a strategy to explore caves beyond Earth. Focusing primarily on astrobiology, the cave environment, geology, robotics, instrumentation, and human exploration, our goal was to produce a framework to guide this subdiscipline through at least the next decade. To do this, we first assembled a list of 198 science and engineering questions. Then, through a series of social surveys, 114 scientists and engineers winnowed down the list to the top 53 highest priority questions. This exercise resulted in identifying emerging and crucial research areas that require robust development to ultimately support a robotic mission to a planetary cave-principally the Moon and/or Mars. With the necessary financial investment and institutional support, the research and technological development required to achieve these necessary advancements over the next decade are attainable. Subsequently, we will be positioned to robotically examine lunar caves and search for evidence of life within Martian caves; in turn, this will set the stage for human exploration and potential habitation of both the lunar and Martian subsurface.

SUBMITTER: Wynne JJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9787064 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration.

Wynne J Judson JJ Titus Timothy N TN Agha-Mohammadi Ali-Akbar AA Azua-Bustos Armando A Boston Penelope J PJ de León Pablo P Demirel-Floyd Cansu C De Waele Jo J Jones Heather H Malaska Michael J MJ Miller Ana Z AZ Sapers Haley M HM Sauro Francesco F Sonderegger Derek L DL Uckert Kyle K Wong Uland Y UY Alexander E Calvin EC Chiao Leroy L Cushing Glen E GE DeDecker John J Fairén Alberto G AG Frumkin Amos A Harris Gary L GL Kearney Michelle L ML Kerber Laura L Léveillé Richard J RJ Manyapu Kavya K Massironi Matteo M Mylroie John E JE Onac Bogdan P BP Parazynski Scott E SE Phillips-Lander Charity M CM Prettyman Thomas H TH Schulze-Makuch Dirk D Wagner Robert V RV Whittaker William L WL Williams Kaj E KE

Journal of geophysical research. Planets 20221102 11

Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation, we have now acquired cave data across our solar system-including the identification of potential cave entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least nine other planetary bodies. These discoveries gave rise to the study of planetary caves. To help advance this field, we leveraged the expertise of an ...[more]

PMID: 36582809

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Project description:Moon and Mars are considered to be future targets for human space explorations. The gravity level on the Moon and Mars amount to 16% and 38%, respectively, of Earth's gravity. Mechanical loading during the anticipated habitual activities in these hypogravity environments will most likely not be sufficient to maintain physiological integrity of astronauts unless additional exercise countermeasures are performed. Current microgravity exercise countermeasures appear to attenuate but not prevent 'space deconditioning'. However, plyometric exercises (hopping and whole body vibration) have shown promise in recent analogue bed rest studies and may be options for space exploration missions where resources will be limited compared to the ISS. This paper therefore tests the hypothesis that plyometric hop exercise in hypogravity can generate sufficient mechanical stimuli to prevent musculoskeletal deconditioning. It has been suggested that hypogravity-induced reductions in peak ground reaction force (peak vertical GRF) can be offset by increases in hopping height. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of simulated hypogravity (0.16G, 0.27G, 0.38G, and 0.7G) upon sub-maximal plyometric hopping on the Verticalised Treadmill Facility, simulating different hypogravity levels. Results show that peak vertical GRF are negatively related to simulated gravity level, but positively to hopping height. Contact times decreased with increasing gravity level but were not influenced through hopping height. In contrast, flight time increased with decreasing gravity levels and increasing hopping height (P < 0.001). The present data suggest that the anticipated hypogravity-related reductions of musculoskeletal forces during normal walking can be compensated by performing hops and therefore support the idea of plyometric hopping as a robust and resourceful exercise countermeasure in hypogravity. As maximal hop height was constrained on the VTF further research is needed to determine whether similar relationships are evident during maximal hops and other forms of jumping.

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Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration.

Publications

Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration.

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