Kathryn Gansler

University of Maryland

Using rover accelerometers for seismic investigations of planetary shallow subsurfaces

Katie Gansler is a doctoral student working in Nicholas Schmerr’s lab. She studies how scientists can use accelerometer data from planetary rovers for seismic and gravity measurements. Previous planetary seismic studies have required either bulky isolated seismic instruments, like SEIS on InSight, or human installation, like the Apollo Seismic Experiments. However, every single rover, like a car, has at least one three-axis accelerometer called an inertial measurement unit (IMUs). IMUs are traditionally used to measure rover attitude and location; however, IMU data from missions has not been accessible publicly. Thus, there have been very few studies conducted on IMUs and their sensitivity to active- or passive- source seismic signals. She is testing IMUs on board an analog rover to see if the ground response can be isolated from the rover source and transfer functions during drilling, scooping, or simply rolling around a surface. In preparation for the upcoming Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover mission launching at the end of 2024, she is also working to collect IMU measurements of various flight systems so IMU-based geophysics can be conducted during VIPER’s traverse across the lunar surface.

She also enjoys spending time in local schools and museums educating students and other visitors about planetary science, space, and geology, and has been known to spontaneously pass out NASA stickers or mission patches from of her purse unprompted.

As the VIPER mission traverses across a permanently shadowed region on the Moon, differing ice content and expression in the shallow subsurface will result in changes to the response of the ground (e.g., changes in seismic velocity and attenuation) to a vibrating/percussive drill source.