Essam Heggy

Scientist - Lunar and Planetary Institute

What advice can you offer to young scientists or engineers?

You should take the time to learn, read and observe before getting involved in scientific projects. It is that time that defines your performance in any research activity.

What are your dreams for the future of exploration?

A fully radar dedicated mission to explore the Martian subsurface

What is the most fascinating thing about radar?

Radar can reveal a lot of subsurface details on Earth's arid areas. It has shown a strong potential in changing our view for the paleo-hydrology of the SAHARA. On Mars, it would reveal unknown drainage networks and further subsurface hydro-geological features (water lenses !)

What’s the most extraordinary experience you've had so far?

Ground Penetrating Radar fieldwork on the Sahara and the Amargoza desert as potential Mars analogues.

My research work involves mapping subsurface hydrological and geological structures in planetary arid and cold-climate environments using radar imaging and sounding techniques.

The study covers two potential applications. The first is to evaluate the potential of low-frequency orbital sounding and ground-penetrating radars to map the possible presence of Martian subsurface hydrological features, such as local water lenses or aquifer systems. The approach includes electromagnetic characterization of Martian-like materials,materials; numerical simulations of wave propagation in geo-electrical models, GPR field surveys, and comparative planetology studies. The second main point of interest concern the use of radar techniques to explore heavily eroded and dust covered geological feature in order to trace large-scale subsurface stratigraphy and structures. This includes the mapping of impact craters, paleo-hydrological drainage networks and volcanic features such as rifts, lava tubes and flows. The basic elements of this research can be summarized by the following: -Electromagnetic characterization of Martian-soil analogues -Mars Ground Penetrating Radar analogue studies -Numerical simulation of the wave-soil interaction

My Contributions

Mars Exploration (General)

My research work involves mapping and sounding subsurface hydrological and geological structures in a planetary arid context using radar imaging and probing techniques. I am mainly interested in two potential applications. The first is to study the potential of low-frequency orbital sounding and ground-penetrating radars for the exploration of possible martian subsurface hydrological features as local water lenses or aquifer systems. My studies include electromagnetic characterization of Martian-like materials, numerical simulations of wave propagation in geo-electrical models, GPR field surveys, and comparative planetology studies.

Mars Express Orbiter

Providing geoelectrical study of the Martian surface and subsurface at the frequency band of the MARSIS sounder.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Providing geoelectrical study of the Martian surface and subsurface at the frequency band of the SHARAD sounder.

Personal Reflections

What advice can you offer to young scientists or engineers?

You should take the time to learn, read and observe before getting involved in scientific projects. It is that time that defines your performance in any research activity.

What are your dreams for the future of exploration?

A fully Radar dedicated mission to explore the Martian subsurface

What portion of this mission interests you the most?

Radar exploration

What is the most fascinating thing about your mission?

Radar can reveal a lot of subsurface details on earths arid areas. It has shown a strong potential in changing our view for the paleo-hydrology of the SAHARA. On Mars, it would reveal unknown drainage networks and further subsurface hydro-geological features (water lenses !)

What’s the most extraordinary experience you've had so far on this mission?

Ground Penetrating Radar fieldwork on the Sahara and the Amargoza desert as potential Mars analogues.

Where are they from?

Planetary science is a global profession.