Mars on Earth: Testing Tomorrow's Mars Missions in Iceland
When
Where
Dr. Christopher Hamilton
Associate Professor
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
University of Arizona
Could life exist in harsh volcanic environments on Mars? To answer this question, we use Iceland's lava flow fields as a testing ground for the future of planetary surface exploration. Iceland's recent volcanic eruptions create environments remarkably similar to Mars, allowing us to study how life colonizes extreme volcanic terrains and test the capabilities of rovers and drones that will one day explore the Red Planet. This talk reveals how advanced robotic systems—including autonomous rovers and flying drones—are tested in Iceland's Mars-like landscapes to search for signs of life, improve science operations, and validate new technologies for Mars exploration. These advances are directly informing plans for exploring young volcanic regions on Mars to search for evidence of life within its fossil hydrothermal systems.