Thanks to NASA's Mars rovers we're fairly knowledgeable about the Red Planet's topside terrain. But what about beneath?
The allure and lore of the planet has inspired generations to wonder about the mysteries of Mars and what may lay shrouded within.There may be remnants of a lost Martian civilization.
Despite multiple scientific expeditions to the fourth planet from the sun, very little is known about what may exist a few feet beneath the red-hued dust.
Despite multiple scientific expeditions to the fourth planet from the sun, very little is known about what may exist a few feet beneath the red-hued dust.
Now, scientists want to start digging – literally - to solve the mystery of the Martian underground.
NASA is prepping a planetary geophysicist for a Martian dig with a projected launch date of March 2016.
The Discovery-class mission will land six months later in a flat area known as Elysium Planitia, io9.com reported io9.com reported.
The Martian lander, named InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport), will conduct a geophysical inquiry from the surface of Mars.
As an operational seismic station, InSight will then unleash a hammer-like heat flow that will pound the Martian surface until it breaks through.
"With our geophysical instruments we will be able to see right through to the center of Mars and will be able to map out how deeply the crust extends as well as the size of the core," mission specialist Bruce Banerdt said.