4th International Planetary Caves Conference

The 4th International Planetary Caves Conference plans to continue capitalizing on advances in the current state-of-the-art cave exploration and exchanging knowledge and ideas between scientists and engineers for future cave missions. Topics include:

• Genesis and significance of cave-like features across the solar system planetary bodies
• Mars subsurface exploration and science potential through cave entrances
• Lunar subsurface exploration and science potential through cave entrances
• The possibility to search for subterranean volatiles and determine subsurface habitability
• Space mission concepts, remote sensing, robotic access, and exploration
• The astrobiology potential of planetary subsurface environments
• Technologies and architectures required for human exploration and habitation

Additionally, the conference will provide a forum to discuss ongoing mission proposals to space agencies and the longer-term objective of developing a strategy for research and robotic exploration of caves across the solar system.