Elastic Wave Analyzer For Icy Sub-Surfaces (Ewais) In The Solar System

The sub-surface structures of water-bearing icy worlds and the structures of icy regions on Mars contain critical information about their origin and evolution. An elastic wave analyzer for icy sub-surfaces (EWAIS) instrument is being developed to acquire data that can provide answers to fundamental science questions related to these bodies. The EWAIS instrument generates and receives elastic waves using an array of piezoelectric transducers capable of operating at temperatures as low as 30 K. A developed breadboard acquires reflected signals from discontinuities in the traveled materials' impedance along the wave path. Analysis of the acquired data can be used to determine the elastic properties, presence of cracks, locations of cavities, and other discontinuities, as well as the thicknesses of ice and liquid layers. The EWAIS will be applicable for operation from any in-situ platform, including surface assets (e.g., lander and rover) and sub-surface assets (e.g., melting probes).