Posted on 07/23/2021 1:00:30 PM PDT by LibWhacker
A miniature device that scans deep below ground is being developed to identify ice deposits and hollow lava tubes on the moon for possible human settlement.
The prototype device, known as MAPrad, is just one-tenth the size of existing ground penetrating radar systems, yet can see almost twice as deeply below ground—more than 100 meters down—to identify minerals, ice deposits, or voids such as lava tubes.
Local start-up CD3D PTY Limited has now received a grant from the Australian Space Agency's moon to Mars initiative to further develop the prototype with RMIT University, including testing it by mapping one of Earth's largest accessible systems of lava tubes.
CD3D CEO and RMIT Honorary Professor, James Macnae, said their unique geophysical sensor had several advantages over existing technology that made it more suitable for space missions.
"MAPrad is smaller, lighter and uses no more power than existing ground penetrating radar devices, yet can see up to hundreds of meters below the surface, which is around twice as deep as existing technology," Macnae said.
"It was able to achieve this improved performance, even after being shrunken to a hand-held size, because it operates in a different frequency range: using the magnetic rather than the electric component of electromagnetic waves."
The magnetic waves emitted and detected by the device measure conductivity and electromagnetic wave reflections to identify what lies underground. Voids and water-ice provide strong reflections, while various metal deposits have high conductivity at unique levels.
From mining to moon mission
The specialized radar system was developed by RMIT University and Canadian company International Groundradar Consulting in a collaborative research project funded through the AMIRA Global network.
Successful field tests have since been carried out in Australia and Canada using a backpacked prototype for mining and mineral prospecting.
"MAPrad's initial development was specifically focussed on facilitating drone surveys for mining applications, but it has obvious applications in space where size and weight are at a premium, so that's where we're now focusing our efforts," Macnae said.
To further prove the technology's usefulness for a range of moon missions, the researchers will be seeking permission to scan one the world's largest accessible systems of lava tubes at the spectacular Undara caves in Far North Queensland, Australia.
The team hopes to qualify MAPrad for space use so it can help uncover the resources available on the moon and Mars to support life. Credit: NASA Undara is an Aboriginal word meaning 'long way," in reference to the unusually long system of lava tubes that are located within the park. The tubes have diameters of up to 20 meters and some are several hundred meters in length.
RMIT University engineer, Dr. Graham Dorrington, said they would traverse the park above the caves to detect the voids below, some of which have not been completely mapped yet.
"We know the dimensions of the main tubes, so comparison with surface scans to check accuracy should be possible," he said.
"Undara will be an excellent testing site for us since it's the closest thing on Earth to the lava tubes thought to exist on the moon and Mars."
The search for water and shelter in space
Massive tunnels left by ancient volcanic lava flows may exist at shallow depths below the surface of the moon and Mars.
It's thought these enclosures could be suitable for the construction of space colonies as they provide protection from the moon's frequent meteorite impacts, high-energy ultra-violet radiation and energetic particles, not to mention extreme temperatures.
On the moon's surface, for example, daytime temperatures are often well above 100 degrees Celsius, dropping dramatically to below -150 degrees Celsius at night, while the insulated tunnels could provide a stable environment of around -22 degrees Celsius.
But of more immediate concern is mapping ice-water deposits on the moon and getting a clearer picture of the resources available there to support life.
Dorrington said their system could be mounted on a space rover, or even attached to a spacecraft in low orbit, to monitor for minerals in near-future missions and for lava tubes in later missions.
"After the lava tube testing later this year, the next step will be optimizing the device so as not to interfere or interact with any of the space rover or spacecraft's metal components, or cause incompatible electromagnetic interference with communications or other instruments," Dorrington said.
"Qualifying MAPrad for space usage, especially for use on the moon, will be a significant technical challenge for us, but we don't foresee any showstoppers."
The team will use the unique capabilities of the RMIT Micro Nano Research Facility and the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and are also looking to collaborate on later stages of development with specialists in spacecraft integration or organizations with payload availability.
Next time... next time...
Good place for the palliterrorists.
we all know the moon is hollow and artificial, and obviously was an interstellar ark.
the moon AI that terraformed earth obviously killed all the dinosaurs and by altering the oxygen ratio and changed the climate too.
It is unlikely that the AI is still functional, but something still might be.
Yup.
Additionally of course, Biden’s now laid out the red carpet for them, but if we ever have another president who’s serious about the Sothern border...
Sounds like a good tool for those who have lost cargo from their canoe.
And they say it works on dry land also. If you lost your cargo there.
Southern!
Will it find Alice ?
They should partner with Israel, if they aren’t already...
I saw that movie.
Can we try it out at Oak Island first and end the madness?
water on the moon.
mmmkay
I rather liked that movie. 😀
Yes, and it could also get you busted once cross the Macon County Line.
I have a mini RADAR that scans for State Police.
Seen it. Don’t remember much about it. Should probably check it out again since the book was one of the first sci-fi books I ever read, and I absolutely LOVED it!
The ice filled craters on the Moon are perhaps the most valuable places for the expansion of Civilization into space. They are the key to the rest of the Solar System so it would be wise to be the ones to get there first.
Lava tubes! lol
There is a lot of water on the moon. Most in permanently shadowed craters as ice, but also in sunlit areas as well, in lower concentrations.
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