Nuclear Spectroscopy for the Exploration of Mars and Beyond

TL;DR

Nuclear spectroscopy is a crucial tool for planetary exploration, providing essential geochemical data at depth to identify water, key elements, and support life detection and resource utilization on Mars and beyond.

Contribution

This paper highlights the importance of nuclear spectroscopy in planetary exploration, emphasizing its unique ability to analyze subsurface composition for the first time.

Findings

Nuclear spectroscopy can probe up to one meter below the surface.

It effectively identifies water and key elements relevant to exploration.

It supports assessing planetary processes and potential habitability.

Abstract

Nuclear spectroscopy is the only instrumentation that provides bulk geochemical constraints at depth (up to one meter in the surface). These instruments identify and quantify water and other key elements relevant to planetary exploration, including assessing planetary processes, context in the search for life, and in-situ resource utilization.