Martian Cave Probe?, Designs for the DEEP Search for Life Options

[Shaka]

Does anyone consider it worthwhile to speculate on how we might explore Martian caves or lava tubes for the traces of life - past or present? I have not yet run across any 'official' proposals for "spelunker probes", so perhaps we could have some fun and get in on the ground floor with some feasible early designs. With the engineering and scientific expertise we have at UMSF we should be able to whittle down the possible features for such a rover to a practical core. If the planned surface scrapers and drillers don't turn up conclusive evidence to answer The Big Question, can we justify a search of the Martian Underground?

I can envisage a RTG-powered rover that enters a cave, or rappels down a skylight opening, leaving a base communication stage outside connected to it with a fiber-optic umbilical cable. Some form of laser or other illumination - in the visible and/or infrared - would presumably be required. How many of the MSL instruments could be included? What novel instruments would be appropriate? What is the optimal size and mobility design? 'Do we yet have 'hot' prospects for accessible caves? How should we choose the best candidates?

We can leave this to some JPL bright spark to develop, or we can dive right in. Any takers?

[nprev]

Shaka, let's compromise. Shelob can drag a fiber optic line from the descent platform (which goes back up to the rover/lander) till it gets snagged...then either an electrical or pyro-actuated cable cutter on the spider does its thing, and the vehicle switches to its backup RF link to the descent platform.

Thanks for the compliment, mchan! I ain't even gonna discuss the problem of drilling a hole on Europa, though...

[centsworth_II]

Shelob can drag a fiber optic line from the descent platform ... till it gets snagged...

The fiber is payed out from the rover/spider as it moves. Once on the ground
the fiber moves no more... no snag worries.