Geophysical prospecting of Mars subsoil by TDEM system

This communication deals with the design of a TDEM (Time Domain Electromagnetic Measurement) system suitable for Martian subsoil investigation. An experiment, called MASTER (Mars subsurfAce Sounding by Time-domain Electromagnetic measuRements) is described. MASTER is expected to achieve the following main objectives: measure electrical conductivity profiles of Martian subsoil layers; identify Martian ground water/ice signatures; and perform passive measurements of the Martian electromagnetic environment. The particular application leads to the design of a system satisfying some specific requirements that, if not met, could compromise the quality performances of the data obtained. In the paper, a proposed configuration for the measurement system is described. Data acquisition and analysis strategy, required by the extreme environmental conditions, will be presented. This project, funded by the Italian Space Agency, has been proposed to fly aboard DEEDRI, the Italian Drill Payload for the Mars Surveyor Program 2003.