Pages:

Scientific Measurements

Phoenix's Robotic Arm (RA) is the single most crucial element to making scientific measurements. The robotic arm combines strength and finesse to dig trenches, scrape water ice, and precisely deliver samples to other instruments on the science deck. Also, the robotic arm carries a camera and thermal-electric probe to make measurements directly in the trench.

The following table shows the relationships between Phoenix's science objectives, the scientific measurements to be made, and the instruments that will make these measurements.

		Verify presence of water ice
		Determine soil layering and depth to ice layer(s)
		Determine porosity of soil and ice
		Show links between ice, organics, salts, and other minerals
		Measure carbonates
		Measure soil chemistry, including acidity and saltiness
		Measure isotopic ratios of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen
		Survey area and trench geology
		Look at microscopic structure of soil and ice
		Understand if sedimentary layers exist
		Measure ground and ice temperature and heat transfer
		Look at daily and seasonal variations of temperature and pressure
		Measure humidity
		Measure wind speed
		Examine clouds and atmospheric dust
		Look for short-lived liquid water in exposed ice layer
		Measure presence of life supporting elements
		Measure chemical energy potential
		Measure amount of organics
		Measure organic concentration versus depth
		Measure amount of oxidizing material
		Determine carbon isotope ratios for evidence of biological potential