Investigation of the properties and the processes in planetary near-surface layers

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Terrestrial planets differ from the giant planets in that they all possess a solid surface. Their near surface layers, either regolith made of refractory particles or ice/regolith mixtures, are the interface with the atmosphere/space. They critically determine the exchanges of volatiles, refractory matter and energy with the surrounding environment. We propose to study example surface layers by modelling and experiment to find suitable techniques for measuring the physical properties and structure of such surface layers based on our experiences with the instruments PLUTO, MUPUS-PEN and CASSE. The knowledge of the physical properties should help to improve our understanding of exchange processes (thermal and volatile exchanges) as well as of the depositional and erosive history of the surface layers. As soon as PLUTO/Beagle 2 and MER mission data - to which the proposers have access to - become available these models will be applied to infer the regolith deposition histories at the landing sites.