Taking Soil Science To Outer Space

A synopsis of the project will be presented by Douglas R. Cobos, Ph.D., on Monday, July 10, 2006, during the 18th World Congress of Soil Science in Philadelphia. He is the fourth presenter of the “New Frontiers in Soil Science” session from 1:15-3:15pm in Exhibit Hall A of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

By exposing this frozen soil layer to the sun, researchers are hopeful to measure the properties of the liquid water before it turns to a vapor. According to Cobos, the discovery of this liquid water would be a “big finding and best case scenario for the Martian research community.” This liquid water – the pre-cursor for life says Cobos – could even point to “life in a dormant state on Mars.”

Cobos is a research scientist and engineer at Decagon Devices, Pullman, WA. NASA is working with Decagon, a soil science equipment manufacturer, on designing a probe to take soil and atmospheric measurements during the Phoenix 2007 Scout Mission. Galon Campbell, founder of the company and a soil scientist, designed the probe and, together with Cobos and Colin Campbell, is a co-author of the paper being presented in Philadelphia during the international World Congress of Soil Science.

Cobos said the physics on Mars is such that ice tends to go directly from the solid form into a vapor.

“If we can measure this liquid water using our specialized sensor mounted on the robotic arm of the lander, we’ll be able to turn over the data to the planetary scientists to analyze the climate and conditions on Mars,“ says Cobos. These scientists will use the data to determine if life ever arose on Mars or if it could sustain life in the future.

“We’re waiting to see what’s up there. The best-case scenario would be to dig, probe around and finally have conclusive proof that there can be liquid water on Mars,“ he says. “It’s pretty exciting to actually have our sensor bolted to the arm of the lander.”

Cobos, who has been working on the lander’s sensor for two years, just returned from the Jet Propulsion Lab where they mounted the sensor to the arm of the lander and calibrated it. The Phoenix Lander is planned to take off in late 2007 and arrive on Mars to begin its discoveries in early 2008.

Members of the media are invited to attend the 18th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS), July 9-15, 2006 in Philadelphia, PA at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It is a unique international event held in a different city every four years (last held in the U.S. in 1960). Research will be presented on such topics as climate change, soils and health, urban planning, crop production, hazardous waste, and more. For information, go to: http://www.18wcss.org.