Astrobiology
Two Columns
Theme IV
Overview 06.18.2005
In situ analysis of a comet nucleus
Theme IV develops advanced methods for the in-situ analysis of complex organics in small bodies in the Solar System. Organic analysis protocols developed by Theme IV members are presently being incorporated into the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Suite Investigavition of the Mars Science Laboratory.
What are the optimal approaches and configurations for measuring both the history and the chemical state of organics in complex in situ samples? What are the optimal approaches to evaluating, minimizing, and managing thermal perturbations to Earth-return samples? How can we best utilize available cometary analogs obtained in the laboratory to develop and ultimately calibrate instrumentation that will analyze real, complex cometary samples? Theme IV investigates the answers to these questions in order to recognize organics via future space missions.
Projects 06.18.2005
Theme 4 of the GSFC Astrobiology Node develops advanced methods for the in situ analysis of complex organics in small bodies in the solar system. Investigators are presently participating in proposals to NASA for flyby, rendezvous, and sample return missions to comets. In each of these missions, an important focus is on the analysis of complex organic molecules that may have played a role in terrestrial prebiotic chemistry; mass spectrometer or gas chromatograph mass spectrometer investigations are included in each of these mission proposals.
Example of sample return
Development of advanced organic analysis techniques has been initiated including: techniques of laser desorption mass spectrometry; pyrolysis mass spectrometry; and solvent extraction of organic molecules followed by chemical derivatization. In the initial stages of this work a variety of Mars analog materials such as Atacama desert soils, Hawaii basalts, and meteoritic samples have been used for a cross comparison of techniques. Some of these materials also serve also as cometary analogs and the chemistries developed may be relevant for future cometary research.
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NASA Fact
NASA became operational on October 1, 1958 -- one year after the Soviets launched Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite.
