Two landing sites in Melas Chasma, central Valles Marineris, can address key questions in Martian geology. Scientific Framework . The landing sites selected should maximize the scientific return of visited and sampled rock exposures. Engineering Constraints . Candidate Landing Sites .
Many possible sites fit the engineering constraints and scientific objectives.
Two potential sites are discussed here that present unusual opportunities for maximizing the scientific return of the mission. Site A-Melas Labes . Of particular interest is the landslide apron that covers much of the plateau. The apron provides an opportunity to sample materials from the Noachian wallrock extracted from likely depths of 3-4 km below the caprock surface. Massifs of Noachian basement rocks on the western margin of the plateau provide an additional opportunity to sample what may be a more resistant and competent Noachian lithology.