Dear Colleagues,

We invite abstracts to be submitted to the following session at this year’s AGU Fall Meeting (December 13–17, 2021):

P037 — The New Mars Underground:  Astrobiology and Space Resources at the Dawn of Mars Sample Return

The next era of Mars exploration has begun, with current and future missions highlighting the importance of subsurface science for sample return, astrobiology, and human exploration. Signs of recent groundwater and active gas emissions have been identified by the Curiosity rover. Martian subsurface structure is probed with unprecedented precision via seismic and ground-penetrating radar measurements by the InSight lander and Perseverance rover. Caches for Mars Sample Return will include past subsurface materials that are now exposed at the surface. Future subsurface-oriented Mars missions will revolutionize our understanding of martian habitability, climate, and geologic history. These missions will apply technologies for prospecting and accessing in situ resources on Mars, enabling human exploration while also testing technologies for the subsurface exploration of other planetary bodies. We invite submissions describing investigations of the martian subsurface, analog terrestrial deep biosphere sites, and subsurface exploration of other planetary bodies, including current missions, mission concepts, and novel technologies.

Abstract submission deadline:  August 4, 2021

Abstract submission link:  https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/prelim.cgi/Session/119935

Thank you for considering this session, and please pass this information on to anyone who may be interested.

Note that AGU will be held in person in New Orleans, LA, and online everywhere. Authors will have the option to choose between virtual or in-person contributions.

Sincerely, the Conveners:

Jesse Tarnas (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

Ana-Catalina Plesa (German Aerospace Center, DLR)

Rachel Lee Harris (Harvard University)