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AstroBioLab: A Mobile Biotic and Soil Analysis LaboratoryThe Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and NASA Ames Research Center are currently developing a mobile Astrobiology Laboratory (AstroBioLab) for a series of field campaigns using the Chilean Atacama Desert as a Martian surface analog site. The Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) program funded AstroBioLab is designed around the Mars Organic Detector (MOD) instrument and the Mars Oxidant Instrument (MOI) which provide complementary data sets. Using this suite of Mars Instrument Development Program (MIDP) and Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program (PIDDP) derived in situ instruments, which provide state-of-the-art organic compound detection (attomolar sensitivity) and depth profiling of oxidation chemistry, we measure and correlate the interplay of organic compounds, inorganic oxidants, UV irradiation and water abundance. This mobile laboratory studies the proposition that intense UV irradiation coupled with low levels of liquid water generates metastable oxidizing species that can consume moderate amounts of seeded organic compounds. Results from the initial spring 2003 field campaign will be presented.
Document ID
20030066629
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
J L Bada
(Scripps Institution of Oceanography La Jolla, California, United States)
A P Zent
(Ames Research Center Mountain View, California, United States)
F J Grunthaner
(Jet Propulsion Lab La Cañada Flintridge, California, United States)
R C Quinn
(Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Mountain View, California, United States)
R Navarro-Gonzalez
(Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico CDMX, Mexico)
B Gomez-Silva
(Universidad de Antofagasta )
C P Mckay
(Ames Research Center Mountain View, California, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
July 25, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Sixth International Conference on Mars
Publisher: LPI
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
3175
Meeting Information
Meeting: Sixth International Conference on Mars
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: US
Start Date: July 20, 2003
End Date: July 25, 2003
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Institute
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC5-679
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
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