General Themes
- Extraterrestrial Cave Properties
- Locations and extent of subterranean features in our solar system
- Cave formation mechanisms (extraterrestrial speleogenic mechanisms)
- Astrobiology and Biological Signatures
- Microbiology of terrestrial caves with astrobiological significance
- Cave biosignatures (fossils, biotextures, geochemical traces, isotopic signals, etc.)
- Cave Microclimates
- Modeling and interpretations of terrestrial cave climatic processes that may be applicable to extraterrestrial caves
- Insulative properties of extraterrestrial caves (i.e., serving as a buffer from harsh surface conditions, sheltering possible evidence of life, suitability for human habitation)
- Cave Detection
- Orbital methods
- Surface methods
- Robotic Exploration and Mapping
- Status of current technology for cave access
- Semi-autonomous/telerobotic capabilities
- Identification of robotic/rover payload requirements to search for life
- Communication and power system requirements
- Human Habitation and Related Technologies
- Human use of caves on the Moon and Mars
- Status of development and testing
- Water and greenhouse technologies
- Communication and power systems
- Needs for future work
- Cave Research Funding Sources
- Education and Public Outreach
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