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A Miniature Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer for in Situ Analysis of Mars Surface Composition and Identification of Hazard in Advance of Future Manned ExplorationFuture landed missions to Mars will be guided by two strategic directions: (1) sample return to Earth, for comprehensive compositional analyses, as recommended by the 2011 NRC Planetary Decadal Survey; and (2) preparation for human exploration in the 2030s and beyond, as laid out by US space policy. The resultant mission architecture will likely require high-fidelity in situ chemical/organic sample analyses within an extremely constrained resource envelope. Both science goals (e.g., MEPAG Goal 1, return sample selection, etc.) as well as identification of any potential toxic and biological hazards to humans, must be addressed. Over the past several years of instrument development, we have found that the adaptable, compact, and highly capable technique of laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LD-TOF-MS) has significant potential to contribute substantially to these dual objectives. This concept thus addresses Challenge Area 1: instrumentation and Investigation Approaches.
Document ID
20120013506
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Getty, S. A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Brinckerhoff, W. B. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Arevalo, R. D. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Floyd, M. M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Li, X. (Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Cornish, T. (C and E Research, Inc. Columbia, MD, United States)
Ecelberger, S. A. (C and E Research, Inc. Columbia, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
June 11, 2012
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.CPR.6508.2012
Meeting Information
Meeting: Concepts and Approaches to Mars Exploration Meeting
Location: Houston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: June 11, 2012
End Date: June 14, 2012
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Inst., NASA Headquarters
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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