1. The Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment (RIMFAX) is part of the payload for NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover and will provide the capability to image the shallow subsurface beneath the rover.
2. RIMFAX's principal goals are to image subsurface structure and provide information regarding subsurface composition, aiding in the exploration of ancient habitability and selecting promising samples for analysis.
3. RIMFAX traces its heritage to a series of ground penetrating radars developed for sounding polythermal glaciers and studying ice shelves in Antarctica, and will have a unique opportunity to explore the Martian subsurface from close proximity with high resolution data.
The article provides a detailed overview of the Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment (RIMFAX), which is part of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. The article explains how RIMFAX uses ground-penetrating radar to image the shallow subsurface beneath the rover and provide information about subsurface composition. The article also discusses the scientific objectives of RIMFAX, including imaging subsurface structure and providing insight into the subsurface stratigraphy of Jezero Crater.
Overall, the article appears to be well-researched and informative. However, there are a few potential biases and missing points of consideration that should be noted. For example, while the article mentions that RIMFAX will provide important insight into the subsurface stratigraphy of Jezero Crater, it does not discuss any potential risks associated with using ground-penetrating radar on Mars. Additionally, while the article notes that RIMFAX will have a unique opportunity to explore the Martian subsurface from close proximity to the surface, it does not discuss any potential limitations or challenges associated with this approach.
Another potential bias in the article is its focus on promoting RIMFAX as a valuable tool for in-situ planetary exploration. While this may be true, it would have been helpful to include some discussion of alternative approaches or technologies that could also be used for this purpose.
Overall, while there are some potential biases and missing points of consideration in the article, it provides a useful overview of RIMFAX and its scientific objectives.