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Titan Ice and Dust Experiment (TIDE): Detection and Analysis of Compounds of Interest to Astrobiology in the Lower Atmosphere and Surface of TitanThe Titan Orbiter Aerorover Mission (TOAM) is a proposed concept for the Solar System Exploration Visions Mission, Titan Explorer, a follow-on to the Cassini-Huygens mission. TOAM would use a Titan polar orbiter and a lighter-than-air aerorover to investigate the surface and atmosphere of Titan. Astrobiology issues will be addressed though TOAM investigations including, for example: Distribution and composition of organics (atmospheric, aerosol, surface); Organic chemical processes, their chemical context and energy sources; and Seasonal variations and interactions of the atmosphere and surface. The TIDE instrument will perform in-situ analyses to obtain comprehensive and sensitive molecular and elemental assays of volatile organics in the atmosphere, oceans and surface. TIDE chemical analyses are conducted by a Gas Chromatograph-Ion Mobility Spectrometer (GC-IMS). This TIDE GC-IMS was a component of the mini-Cometary Ice and Dust Experiment (mini-CIDEX) developed for the chemical analysis of a cometary environment. Both the GC and helium IMS of mini-CIDEX have been further developed to better meet the analytical and operational requirements of the TOAM. application. A Micro-ElectroMechanical System (MEMS) GC and Mini-Cell helium IMS are under development to replace their respective mini-CIDEX components, providing similar or advanced analytical capabilities.
Document ID
20040081069
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kojiro, Daniel R.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Holland Paul M.
(Thorleaf Research, Inc. Santa Barbara, CA, United States)
Stimac, Robert M.
(Ion Applications, Inc. Lake Worth, FL, United States)
Kaye, William J.
(Ion Applications, Inc. Lake Worth, FL, United States)
Takeruchi, Noreshige
(Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
February 9, 2004
Subject Category
Exobiology
Meeting Information
Meeting: Astrobiology Science Conference
Location: Moffett Field, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: March 28, 2004
End Date: April 1, 2004
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 344-52-50-37
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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