First Detection of Non-Chlorinated Organic Molecules Indigenous to a Martian SampleThe Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument onboard Curiosity can perform pyrolysis of martian solid samples, and analyze the volatiles by direct mass spectrometry in evolved gas analysis (EGA) mode, or separate the components in the GCMS mode (coupling the gas chromatograph and the mass spectrometer instruments). In addition, SAM has a wet chemistry laboratory designed for the extraction and identification of complex and refractory organic molecules in the solid samples. The chemical derivatization agent used, N-methyl-N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl- trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA), was sealed inside seven Inconel metal cups present in SAM. Although none of these foil-capped derivatization cups have been punctured on Mars for a full wet chemistry experiment, an MTBSTFA leak was detected and the resultant MTBSTFA vapor inside the instrument has been used for a multi-sol MTBSTFA derivatization (MD) procedure instead of direct exposure to MTBSTFA liquid by dropping a solid sample directly into a punctured wet chemistry cup. Pyr-EGA, Pyr-GCMS and Der-GCMS experiments each led to the detection and identification of a variety of organic molecules in diverse formations of Gale Crater.
Document ID
20160002361
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Freissinet, C. (Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Glavin, D. P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Buch, A. (Ecole Centrale de Paris France)
Szopa, C. (Paris VI Univ. France)
Summons, R. E. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Eigenbrode, J. L. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Archer, P. D., Jr. (Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Brinckerhoff, W. B. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Brunner, A. E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Cabane, M. (Paris VI Univ. France)
Franz, H. B. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kashyap, S. (Massachusetts Univ. Amherst, MA, United States)
Malespin, C. A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Martin, M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Millan, M. (Paris VI Univ. France)
Miller, K. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Navarro-González, R. (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Mexico City, Mexico)
Prats, B. D. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Steele, A. (Carnegie Institution of Washington Washington, DC, United States)
Teinturier, S. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mahaffy, P. R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)