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A Numerical Simulation Tool for Planetary Subsurface Radar
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| Exciting recent discoveries in planetary science have made subsurface exploration instruments one of the top priorities on future planetary science missions. Remote sensing techniques, specifically ground penetrating radar (GPR), could be very effective in the critically important search for water. GPR instruments are planned on many planetary missions in the coming decade. But there are many challenges to successfully operating planetary GPR instruments and interpreting the data. These challenges create a compelling need for meaningful quantitative analysis of environmental impacts on instrument operation and of GPR data interpretation. We propose to develop an accurate and general numerical modeling tool to simulate the planetary GPR problem. This tool would have substantial value to the planetary science community as a means for realistic numerical experimentation of an environment completely unavailable for actual field experiments. This code would find immediate use in quantifying the capabilities of planned GPR instruments in light of major environmental unknowns, and providing realistic signals on which data processing schemes can be tested. In the future use, the proposed model would be valuable in bounding the interpretation of any data returned from these instruments. The code development addresses a compelling need in the planetary science community and is targeted directly at AISR program goals. |
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