Aberdeen space scientists to develop Martian chamber ahead of Mars mission
University of Aberdeen scientists have been awarded funding from the UK Space Agency to further develop technology in preparation for the mission.
Space scientists at the University of Aberdeen will be exploring the habitability of Mars after receiving funding from the UK Space Agency.
With the award of £320,000, the Planetary Sciences Group will assist in further developing pioneering technology - known as HABIT - ahead of a mission to Mars.
HABIT - which stands for Habitability: Brine, Irradiation and Temperature - is an instrument which will be taken to the planet to measure the key conditions there.
It will be included on a lander expected to touch down on the planet's surface around 2028 to 2030 and will be led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
In addition to this, for the first time ever, the technology will attempt to produce liquid water on Mars.
The team will do this using a theory that unique salts on the planet's surface will absorb water from the atmosphere and produce liquid water - in the form of brines - at night when the temperature is at its lowest.
Back on earth, the scientists at the university will create a unique Martian chamber which will be in the form of a box - around the same size as a refrigerator - that will mimic temperatures, pressures, and atmospheres of the Martain surface.
Professor Javier Martin-Torres, who leads the Planetary Sciences Group, said the chamber will essentially create a Mars environment on Earth.
He said: "HABIT is designed to monitor various environmental conditions crucial for understanding the presence of liquid brine and supporting (bio)chemical reactions on Mars.
“It is a critical component for the mission as HABIT will work with other instruments onboard the lander to enhance the understanding of Mars' habitability.
“Our technology will make an important contribution in answering fundamental questions not only in Mars science and astrobiology but could also pave the way for future human exploration.
“We are delighted to be one of only seven universities in the UK – and the only one in Scotland – to be part of this funding award which will keep the country in the forefront of Mars research and astrobiology.”
Developing the next generation of space scientists
With the Martian chamber being based within the University of Aberdeen, Professor Martin-Torres hopes it will support the development of the next generation of space scientists.
He continued: “We will be able to create a chamber at the University of Aberdeen, where can simulate the environment of Mars.
“In addition to the calibration of HABIT, this milestone facility will enable us to train students and researchers in this unique area of space exploration.
“It will also facilitate future international collaborations with both research and industry allowing us to test new instrumentation, materials, and components and to build greater understanding of Martian pressure conditions including a liquid water cycle and UV radiation exposure.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “The University of Aberdeen’s work with JAXA on environment monitoring technology for Martian rovers demonstrates how UK science can make crucial contributions to ground-breaking global missions that will deepen our understanding of our neighbouring planets.
“Our funding will help catalyse international investment into the UK space sector and highlights the value we place on sharing knowledge and expertise with our counterparts overseas to push the boundaries of space exploration.”