Strategic exploration of Elysium Mons Cave Zone on Mars: implications for AI-driven robotic dogs

This study presents orbital validation of a potential cave candidate (PCC) on the western flank of Elysium Mons, originally cataloged in the Mars Cave Database, and establishes it as a high-priority subsurface exploration target. A multi-sensor investigation integrates morphological, thermal, topographic, and mineralogical datasets to independently confirm the feature as a potential subsurface lava tube skylight. CTX and HiRISE imagery acquired under varied illumination reveal an elliptical opening with persistent shadowing, collapse textures, and a localized aperture consistent with vertical access to a subsurface void, informing robotic ingress strategies. THEMIS nighttime observations show a sustained thermal anomaly indicative of subsurface thermal buffering, while MOLA data constrain elevation, slope, and surface roughness. GRS measurements indicate hydrogen-enriched basalt, and TES mineralogy supports a volcanogenic origin with potential paleoenvironmental preservation. These integrated observations enable preliminary landing site selection and slope-optimized robotic traversal. Building on this validated characterization, we propose a mission-relevant exploration framework using AI-driven legged robotic systems with autonomous mobility, LiDAR-based 3D mapping, and tethered descent capabilities, addressing limitations of wheeled rovers. This work advances operational and scientific readiness for Martian cave exploration and subsurface habitability studies.