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Molecular Analyzer for Complex Refractory Organic-Rich Surfaces (MACROS)The Molecular Analyzer for Complex Refractory Organic-rich Surfaces, MACROS, is a novel instrument package being developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. MACROS enables the in situ characterization of a sample's composition by coupling two powerful techniques into one compact instrument package: (1) laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LDMS) for broad detection of inorganic mineral composition and non-volatile organics, and (2) liquid-phase extraction methods to gently isolate the soluble organic and inorganic fraction of a planetary powder for enrichment and detailed analysis by liquid chromatographic separation coupled to LDMS. The LDMS is capable of positive and negative ion detection, precision mass selection, and fragment analysis. Two modes are included for LDMS: single laser LDMS as the broad survey mode and two step laser mass spectrometry (L2MS). The liquid-phase extraction will be done in a newly designed extraction module (EM) prototype, providing selectivity in the analysis of a complex sample. For the sample collection, a diamond drill front end will be used to collect rock/icy powder. With all these components and capabilities together, MACROS offers a versatile analytical instrument for a mission targeting an icy moon, carbonaceous asteroid, or comet, to fully characterize the surface composition and advance our understanding of the chemical inventory present on that body.
Document ID
20170009155
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Getty, Stephanie A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Cook, Jamie E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Balvin, Manuel
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Brinckerhoff, William B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Li, Xiang
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Grubisic, Andrej
(Maryland Univ. College Park, MD, United States)
Cornish, Timothy
(C&E Research, Inc. Columbia, MD, United States)
Ferrance, Jerome
(J2F Engineering Charlottesville, VA, United States)
Southard, Adrian
(Universities Space Research Association Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 28, 2017
Publication Date
June 8, 2017
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN45689
GSFC-E-DAA-TN51578
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2017 IEEE Aerospace Co
Location: Big Sky, MT
Country: United States
Start Date: March 4, 2017
End Date: March 11, 2017
Sponsors: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG17PT01A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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