'Space drones' being used to explore lava tubes in Iceland could help NASA detect signs of life on Mars

  • Scientists hope to explore deep Martian cave systems using 'space drones' 
  • The SETI institute is aimed at tracking down extraterrestrial life 
  • They were able to successfully mapped the interior of an ice-rich lava tube 
  • They are using a drone with Lidar technology, Light Detection to measure ranges
  • This involves sending out light waves and tracking reflections to map places too difficult for humans to explore. 

Technology used to map the interior of Icelandic lava tubes could be used to explore deep caves on Mars and the moon, scientists say.

'Space drones', or LiDAR-equipped drones, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, are currently used to examine the lava tube's shape and its ice formations. 

The team, from the SETI Institute and Astrobotic Technology, was investigating the Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave in the remote Myvatn region of Iceland.  

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Scientists are hoping to use the same technology used to map the interior of Icelandic lava tubes to explore deep caves on Mars. SETI's mission is to explore and examine the origin and nature of life in the universe. Pictured: Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave, Iceland

Scientists are hoping to use the same technology used to map the interior of Icelandic lava tubes to explore deep caves on Mars. SETI's mission is to explore and examine the origin and nature of life in the universe. Pictured: Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave, Iceland

SETI, which explores and examines the origin and nature of life in the universe, recently tested the practical application of using drones to 3D map caves and lava tubes.

The success of this experiment makes the prospect of learning about both the Mars and lunar surfaces even more exciting. 

The NASA-backed drone with the LiDaR technology sends out light waves and tracking reflections to map places too difficult for humans to explore.

LiDAR surveys an area using a pulsed laser. The information collected from this is used to make 3D models.  

The tests showed that SETI was able to fly their drone into Lofthellir and accurately map it within minutes. 

This success will pave the way for future LiDAR drones which will not use propellers but instead rely on small thrusters due to the lower gravity levels on the Moon and Mars.

SETI says that the hope is to gain as much data and understanding for the mission to be reproduced on Mars. 

Drone-borne LiDAR 3D map of the Main Chamber of the Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave in Iceland, with highlighted rock and ice features. Colors indicate elevation: Red is highest; Purple is lowest

Drone-borne LiDAR 3D map of the Main Chamber of the Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave in Iceland, with highlighted rock and ice features. Colors indicate elevation: Red is highest; Purple is lowest

They wanted to study Iceland lava tubes because of the massive amounts of ice inside to understand the potential hazards. 

SETI planetary scientist Pascal Lee said 'We also wanted to study the opportunities presented by the many lava caves we hope to explore on the Moon and Mars.' 

'One promising way to explore them is with drones.' 

Left: An 80 meter diameter pit crater in Mare Tranquilitatis on the Moon (Credit: NASA/LRO). Right: Artist concept of a propulsive drone exploring a lunar cave in the future

Left: An 80 meter diameter pit crater in Mare Tranquilitatis on the Moon (Credit: NASA/LRO). Right: Artist concept of a propulsive drone exploring a lunar cave in the future

Drone-LiDAR mapping of the ¿skylight¿ entrance area of the Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave in Iceland. Top: Aerial view of the entrance. Bottom: Drone-borne LiDAR map of the lava tube cave below the skylight entrance area. Middle: Drone LiDAR map projected against the aerial view to show underground extent of lava tube entrance area

Drone-LiDAR mapping of the 'skylight' entrance area of the Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave in Iceland. Top: Aerial view of the entrance. Bottom: Drone-borne LiDAR map of the lava tube cave below the skylight entrance area. Middle: Drone LiDAR map projected against the aerial view to show underground extent of lava tube entrance area

Space scientists have known that caves and lava tubes exist on the Moon and Mars. 

Most of these cave’s openings are in volcanic terrain, created as a result of extreme temperatures or asteroid impacts.  

These caves have been sheltered from harsh surface conditions – like radiation and meteorite bombardment.

They might also be places where water collects, they said.  

If water turns out to be present, caves may prove to be essential resources for future missions. 

They could even provide fuel sources because the molecules that make water can be broken down to create rocket fuel. 

Experts have previously suggested that humans could one day occupy such caves for 'long-term habitation'. 

'Some caves, in particular those reported near the North pole of the Moon and on the flanks of giant volcanoes on Mars, might be cold enough to accumulate water ice via a process called cold-trapping,' SETI said.

'Such sheltered ice would represent an important record of the history of water on the Moon and Mars, and in the case of the latter, an exciting opportunity to search for signs of life as well.' 

Astrobotic's LiDAR-equipped drone on the floor of the Main Chamber of the Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave in Iceland, ready for its subterranean mapping mission

Astrobotic's LiDAR-equipped drone on the floor of the Main Chamber of the Lofthellir Lava Tube Ice Cave in Iceland, ready for its subterranean mapping mission

Space scientists will need to further modify the drones to make them work outside the Earth's atmosphere; for example, they would need thrusters.

Iceland has previously played a significant role in space exploration; the original Apollo mission trained in the Central Highlands of Iceland. 

The areas of Askja in the Dyngjufjöll were chosen because of the similarities in landscape to the moon. 

HOW DO LAVA TUBES FORM?

Lava tubes such as those seen at La Cueva de los Verdes (pictured) can form in two ways

Lava tubes such as those seen at La Cueva de los Verdes (pictured) can form in two ways

Lava tubes such as those seen at La Cueva de los Verdes can form in two ways.

'Overcrusted' tubes form when thinner lava flows fairly close to the surface, developing a hard crust that thickens to create a roof above the moving lava stream.

When the eruptions end, the channel created by the lava is drained leaving a tunnel a few metres beneath the surface.

'Inflated' tubes are complex and deep structures that form when lava is injected into existing fissures between layers of rock or cavities from previous flows.

The lava expands and leaves a huge network of connected galleries as it forces its way to the surface. 

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