Led by MPB Communications Inc., the Mars Methane Mission was orchestrated to develop methodologies to search for bioindicators on Mars and to validate the science capabilities and operational requirements of the KAPVIK microRover and its potential miniature science payload.

Missions were deployed in June 2011 and June 2012 in abandoned open-pit asbestos mines in Quebec. The locations were picked for their geographical similarities to the Mars terrain, and because they contained methane produced by the weathering of serpentine, a process suggested to have taken place on Mars.

The Mars Methane Mission elevated KAPVIK to TRL 6 by proving it to be a fully functional microRover.

Key components of the second Mars Methane Mission included:

• Operating the KAPVIK rover remotely from CSA headquarters, about 100 miles away
• Having KAPVIK use its stereo camera and 3D map generating abilities to chart it’s own route from one place to another Geological mapping using an electromagnetic induction sounder
• Collecting of methane samples, discriminating between abiogenic and biogenic sources
• Collecting soil samples, for both in-situ and laboratory testing
• Validating Raman spectroscopy in relevant ambient conditions

Partners

MPB Communications Inc., Carleton University, Ryerson University, UTIAS, MDA, University of Winnipeg, Xiphos Technologies, Arizona State University, University of Toronto, Brown University

MPB Contribution

Project prime, responsible for planning, implementation and logistics.