QUESTION:
Can Pathfinder's accelerometers be used as seismic sensors?

ANSWER from Mike Mellon on August 10, 1997:
There are 6 accelerometers on the Pathfinder spacecraft for science and
engineering purposes. Their primary purpose is for measuring atmospheric
accelerations during entry and decent and establishing the timing of
important events, such as parachute deployment. At the highest gain setting
and they can measure accelerations as small as perhaps 10 micro-g
(1/100,000th of an earth gravity). As far as seismometers go, I think this
would be somewhat mediocre at best.

In addition, the Viking Lander 2 had a seismometer that was more than 10
times more sensitive. It was found that space craft noise (motors, and
various mechanical operations), as well as wind, creates a great deal of
seismic noise. This noise makes the data difficult to interpret.

To get useful seismic data for probing the interior structure of Mars, would
require multiple ground stations scattered around the globe.  Each station
could then "listen" for the same event. Such a network is being considered
by NASA scientists and engineers for a future mission.

Mike Mellon