Arsia Mons Caverns of Mars

Arsia Mons is a volcanic region on Mars near its equator. Below this area’s surface are multiple lava tubes that magma would travel through years ago when the volcanoes were still active. These underground tunnels could provide additional protection from the harsh weather of Mars and its surface level radiation which could be important knowledge for any future plans to mars, especially with regards to colonization or inhabiting the region. To collect topological, environmental, and atmospheric data on these caverns, I propose we send a rover to go and explore the area. Since the majority of the mission would be underground, solar energy wouldn’t be a feasible option for powering the rover. This is where the RTG comes in. The heat energy collected from radioactive decay should be enough to provide the rover with the power it needs to traverse the tunnels as well as collect and send/store data back to NASA. I have a sufficient amount of knowledge with the electronics and mechanical design that goes into building a rover and would be able to contribute in many different ways. This mission could potentially shape the future of what options we have for sending people to Mars. The data resulting from this mission would not only benefit the United States, it would push forward a new age of exploration for the entire world.