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and 0.3 m depths which had the same geochemical profile (T, color, odors,
consistency). This is a fractal characteristic.
So, by this in-situ analysis, I found that possibly a fractal dimensionality could
be used to better describe the spatial-temporal geochemical clustered patterns
observed, with strong possible microbiological component. Thus, the in situ search
for spatial-temporal geochemical clustered patterns and fractal dimensionality at the
Martian surface and subsurface could facilitate the search of biosignatures on Mars
(de Morais 2004 ).
Thus, concluding, we can possibly show that in such abovementioned estuarine
location, one can find the characteristics of clustering and fractality which are
present in the dynamical LLV model and Turing patterns mechanisms, and the non-
extensive statistical mechanics could be used to find the q -entropy S q and other
nonequilibrium statistical parameters of the above estuarine (Caraís lagoon) subsur-
face biogeochemical system and the possibility of this on Mars (de Morais 2004 ).
Such kind of Turing patterns are geologically present at the Phoenix lander on
the north polar region of Mars, in the form of those hexagon figures as mentioned
earlier in this chapter. And such subsurface ecological systems, displaying fractality
behavior, are also of interest to the field of astrobiology, mainly to the models for
the origin of life by 4.2 Gy on the subsurface of planet Earth and for hypothetical
biogeochemical evolution by 4.2 Gy at the subsurface of planet Mars (de Morais
2004 )(Fig. 8.31 ).
8.7
New Experimental Equipment for Mars Astrobiology
8.7.1
Future Missions
￿
ExoMars is a European-led multi-spacecraft program currently under develop-
ment by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space
Agency scheduled for launch in 2016-2018. Its primary scientific mission will be
to search for possible biosignatures on Mars, past or present. A rover with a 2-m
(6.6 ft) core drill will be used to sample various depths beneath the surface where
liquid water may be found and where microorganisms might survive cosmic
radiation.
￿
Mars 2020 rover mission - The Mars 2020 rover mission is a Mars planetary
rover mission concept under study by NASA with a possible launch in 2020.
It is intended to investigate an astrobiologically relevant ancient environment on
Mars and to investigate its surface geological processes and history, including the
assessment of its past habitability and potential for preservation of biosignatures
within accessible geological materials.
￿
Mars Sample Return Mission - The best life detection experiment proposed is
the examination on Earth of a soil sample from Mars. However, the difficulty
of providing and maintaining life support over the months of transit from Mars
to Earth remains to be solved. Providing for still unknown environmental and
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