Instrumentation for in situ sampling and analysis of compounds of interest to Astrobiology in the lower atmosphere and surface of TitanInstrumentation for exploration of the solar system will require new enabling technology for in situ sample acquisition and analysis of pre-biotic chemistry in extreme planetary environments, such as that encountered at the surface of Titan. The potential use of balloon aero-rovers for Titan places special emphasis on the importance of miniaturization, low power and low usage of consumables. To help meet this need, we are developing a miniature gas chromatograph coupled with a new Mini-Cell ion mobility spectrometer (GC-IMS), and one of us (PMH) has begun development work on a miniaturized cryogenic inlet system with sampling probes for Titan. This instrumentation, and its approach for meeting measurement needs for the analysis of prebiotic chemistry on Titan, will be discussed.
Document ID
20060015657
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Holland, Paul M. (Thorleaf Research, Inc. Santa Barbara, CA, United States)
Kojiro, Daniel R. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Stimac, Robert (Ion Applications, Inc. Lake Worth, FL, United States)
Kaye, William (Ion Applications, Inc. Lake Worth, FL, United States)