Chebbi region, Morocco: a testing site for future rover missions to Mars

Ángel de Pablo, Miguel; Blanco, Juan Jose; Moya, M. E.; Garcia, M.; Acaso, E.; Rubial, M. J.; Blanco, J. J.
Bibliographical reference

37th COSPAR Scientific Assembly. Held 13-20 July 2008, in Montréal, Canada., p.666

Advertised on:
0
2008
Number of authors
7
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
In the future, new robotic missions will be launch toward Mars with the objective of studying this planet from its surface. Phoenix (2007), Mars Science Laboratory (2009), Mars Sample Return, ExoMars, Astrobiological Field Laboratory or the Deep-drill lander (beyond 2009) are the missions already launched, approved or under planning by NASA for the future exploration of Mars by rovers. These missions involve an important number of different sensors that should be firstly tested on Earth in order to check their correct function and improve their efficiency. Furthermore, the scientific teams can be acquainted with the operations involved previously to receive data from the mission on Mars. On Earth, there are very few sites where the Martian climatic conditions and landscape similarities could be found, as the dry valleys on Antarctica or the volcanic plains forming the inner deserts of Iceland. However, there are other sites on the Earth where the landscape and geomorphological features are similar to the landscapes observed on Viking Lander, Mars Pathfinder, Sojourner and Mars Exploration Rovers images. One of these sites is the Chebbi region (31o 10'N, 4o 4'W), in Central-south of Morocco. This area is located at the south of the Atlas range, forming the northern edge of the Sahara desert. The main characteristic is the plain landscape with smooth hills and an important dune field composed of different types of dunes. Wind-streaks are also frequent with sizes ranging between centimetres to tens of meters. Aeolian processes like dust storms and dust devils are very often in spring and summer. The region is also characterized by the desertical pavement formed by different size particles from sand to blocks. Decimetres to meters in diameter blocks are also found in the dry channels formed on sporadic floods. Water from floods and rains are quickly evaporated but mud and water-marks are more perdurable. Salts deposits and crusts are visible in different areas related to evaporation processes. Aeolian and fluvial deposits cover the surface, allowing the observation of bedrock outcrops and sedimentary layers in the same way as observed on Mars. These are some of the main characteristic and terrestrial analogues that could be found in the Chebbi region. All those characteristics and the communications and accommodations facilities convert this area in an interesting site for future exploration rover missions testing and training of future astronauts that will work on the surface of Mars.