In situ science on Phobos with the Raman spectrometer for MMX (RAX): preliminary design and feasibility of Raman measurements

Earth, Planets and Space

Olga Prieto-Ballesteros¹  Koki Yumoto²  Yuichiro Cho²  Jo Akino Ogura²  Shoki Mori²  Shingo Kameda³  Iris Weber⁴  Claudia Stangarone⁵  Ute Böttger⁶  Emanuel Kopp⁶  Yuri Bunduki⁶  Susanne Schröder⁶  Anko Börner⁶  Carsten Paproth⁶  Conor Ryan⁶  Friedrich Schrandt⁶  Heinz-Wilhelm Hübers⁶  Gisbert Peter⁶  Karsten Westerdorff⁶  Matthias Lieder⁶  Till Hagelschuer⁶  Martin Pertenais⁶  Maximilian Buder⁶  Enrico Dietz⁶  Selene Rodd-Routley⁶  Thomas Säuberlich⁶  Steve Rockstein⁶  Tomohiro Usui⁷  Andoni Gaizka Moral Inza⁸  Pablo Rodriguez Perez⁸  Carlos Perez Canora⁸  Pilar Santamaria⁸  Tomàs Belenguer⁸  Stephan Ulamec⁹  Guillermo Lopez-Reyes^1,10  Fernando Rull^1,10 

[1] Centro de Astrobiología (CAB-INTA-CSIC), Ctra. Ajalvir, Km 4, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain;Department of Earth and Planetary Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, 113-0033, Tokyo, Japan;Department of Physics, College of Science, Rikkyo University, 3-34-1 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima, 171-8501, Tokyo, Japan;Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo, 252-5210, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan;Institut für Planetologie, WWU Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 10, 48149, Münster, Germany;Institute for Planetary Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany;Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Rutherfordstr. 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany;Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo, 252-5210, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan;Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aerospacial (INTA), Ctra. Ajalvir, Km 4, 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain;Space Operations and Astronaut Training, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany;Universidad de Valladolid - GIR ERICA, Av. Francisco valles, 8, Parque Tecnólogico de Boecillo, Parcela 203, 47151, Boecillo, Valladolid, Spain;

关键词: Raman spectroscopy;    Raman spectrometer for MMX (RAX);    Phobos;    Mineralogy;    In situ analysis;    Sample return;    Martian Moons eXploration (MMX);   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40623-021-01496-z

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

Mineralogy is the key to understanding the origin of Phobos and its position in the evolution of the Solar System. In situ Raman spectroscopy on Phobos is an important tool to achieve the scientific objectives of the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, and maximize the scientific merit of the sample return by characterizing the mineral composition and heterogeneity of the surface of Phobos. Conducting in situ Raman spectroscopy in the harsh environment of Phobos requires a very sensitive, compact, lightweight, and robust instrument that can be carried by the compact MMX rover. In this context, the Raman spectrometer for MMX (i.e., RAX) is currently under development via international collaboration between teams from Japan, Germany, and Spain. To demonstrate the capability of a compact Raman system such as RAX, we built an instrument that reproduces the optical performance of the flight model using commercial off-the-shelf parts. Using this performance model, we measured mineral samples relevant to Phobos and Mars, such as anhydrous silicates, carbonates, and hydrous minerals. Our measurements indicate that such minerals can be accurately identified using a RAX-like Raman spectrometer. We demonstrated a spectral resolution of approximately 10 cm−1, high enough to resolve the strongest olivine Raman bands at ~ 820 and ~ 850 cm−1, with highly sensitive Raman peak measurements (e.g., signal-to-noise ratios up to 100). These results strongly suggest that the RAX instrument will be capable of determining the minerals expected on the surface of Phobos, adding valuable information to address the question of the moon’s origin, heterogeneity, and circum-Mars material transport.Graphical Abstract

【 授权许可】

CC BY