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Laser Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry for Future In Situ Planetary MissionsLaser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LD-TOF-MS) is a versatile, low-complexity instrument class that holds significant promise for future landed in situ planetary missions that emphasize compositional analysis of surface materials. Here we describe a 5kg-class instrument that is capable of detecting and analyzing a variety of analytes directly from rock or ice samples. Through laboratory studies of a suite of representative samples, we show that detection and analysis of key mineral composition, small organics, and particularly, higher molecular weight organics are well suited to this instrument design. A mass range exceeding 100,000 Da has recently been demonstrated. We describe recent efforts in instrument prototype development and future directions that will enhance our analytical capabilities targeting organic mixtures on primitive and icy bodies. We present results on a series of standards, simulated mixtures, and meteoritic samples.
Document ID
20120013609
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Getty, S. A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Brinckerhoff, W. B. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Cornish, T. (C and E Research, Inc. Columbia, MD, United States)
Ecelberger, S. A. (C and E Research, Inc. Columbia, MD, United States)
Li, X. (Maryland Univ. Baltimore County Baltimore, MD, United States)
Floyd, M. A. Merrill (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Chanover, N. (New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, United States)
Uckert, K. (New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, United States)
Voelz, D. (New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, United States)
Xiao, X. (New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, United States)
Tawalbeh, R. (New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, United States)
Glenar, D. (New Mexico State Univ. Las Cruces, NM, United States)
Elsila, J. E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Callahan, M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
October 10, 2012
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.CPR.6830.2012
Meeting Information
Meeting: Instrumentation for Planetary Missions Workshop/NASA
Location: Greenbelt, MD
Country: United States
Start Date: October 12, 2012
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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