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The primary purpose of the Deep Space 2 mission is to demonstrate key technologies for future planetary exploration while collecting meaningful science data.
Technological Objectives
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- Demonstrate key technologies which enable future network science missions (e.g., multiple landers, penetrators, or spacecraft)
- Demonstrate a passive atmospheric entry system.
- Demonstrate highly integrated microelectronics which can withstand both extremely low temperatures and high decelerations.
- Demonstrate in-situ subsurface science data acquisition
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Flight 1 probe in Pre-Impact Configuration
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Scientific Objectives
Primary
- Determine if ice is present below the Martian surface
- Characterize the thermal properties of the Martian subsurface soil
Secondary
- Characterize the atmospheric density profile.
- Characterize the hardness of the soil and possibly the presence of any layering on a scale of many inches to a few feet.
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Channels are evidence of past water erosion
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