Analog environments for a Europa lander mission

This paper reviews the utility of analog environments in preparations for a Europa lander mission. Such analogs are useful in the demonstration and rehearsal of engineering functions such as sample acquisition from an icy surface, as well as in the exercise of the scientific protocols needed to identify organic, inorganic and possible biological impurities in ice. Particular attention is drawn to Antarctic and Arctic analog sites where progress in these latter areas has been significant in recent years.     

Strategies for detection of putative life on Europa

Planned future exploration missions to the Jovian satellite Europa have a strong astrobiological motivation. Characterization of the potential habitability of the liquid water environments, and searching for life signals are the main astrobiological objectives of these missions. To meet these objectives specific strategies and instrumentation are required. Here we discuss some scenarios for the development of Europa potential biospheres. These scenarios are based on assumptions of the life similarity concept and knowledge about terrestrial life in extreme environments. Since the potential habitable environments on Europa are in the interior of the satellite it is not possibly to directly detect life. However, there are processes that link aqueous sub-surface environments with the near-surface environment, such as tectonism or magmatism. Therefore, by analysing endogenous materials that arise from the interior it is possible to make predictions about what is in the sub-surface. We propose some measurements and instrumentation for future missions to detect biosignatures on the upper layers of Europa, including the simple physico-chemical traces of metabolism to complex biomolecules or biostructures. Raman spectroscopy or biosensor technologies are the future for in situ exploration of the Solar System.     

Thermal reactions in interstellar ice: A step towards molecular complexity in the interstellar medium

Complex organic molecules are widely observed in star-forming regions, although their formation mechanisms are not well understood. Solid-state chemistry is thought to play an important role, but the solid-state reaction network is poorly known. We provide a list of purely thermal reactions involving electronically stable reactants to complement existing grain chemistry networks. The kinetic parameters of the reactions are given when available. These reactions lead to the formation of complex organic molecules, which were not considered previously. Eventually, these complex molecules are either released into the gas phase or incorporated into the organic residue found in meteorites. Thermal reactions are important because they are not limited by the UV flux or the slow diffusion of the radicals, and because they involve both surface and mantle molecules. Thermal reactions represent an important step in the formation of complex organic molecules that constitute the primitive material of comets and asteroids.     

Measuring tidal deformations at Europa’s surface

Key information on Europa’s interior can be gained by monitoring tidally-induced surface deformations from orbiting and landed spacecraft. Such observations would provide constraints on the thickness and rheology of Europa’s ice and liquid water layer, being thus an important tool to characterize basic physical properties of the satellite’s putative subsurface water ocean. Focusing on the outer ice-I layer we will present relations between the interior of Europa and key tidal parameters that can be retrieved from an instrument suite monitoring tidally-induced changes of local gravity, tilt, latitude and strain at the surface. A most promising approach would involve laser altimetry and gravitational field observations from an orbiting spacecraft combined with monitoring of tidally-induced gravity and tilt changes at the surface. However, tidal measurements at the surface may be significantly impeded by instrumental drift, instrument coupling to the surface, local sources of noise and the presumably short life-time of the instruments due to the harsh radiation environment.     

The ORGANIC experiment on EXPOSE-R on the ISS: Flight sample preparation and ground control spectroscopy

In March of 2009, the ORGANIC experiment integrated into the European multi-user facility EXPOSE-R, containing experiments dedicated to Astrobiology, was mounted through Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) externally on the International Space Station (ISS). The experiment exposed organic samples of astronomical interest for a duration of 97 weeks (∼22 months) to the space environment. The samples that were returned to Earth in spring 2011, received a total UV radiation dose during their exposure including direct solar irradiation of >2500 h, exceeding the limits of laboratory simulations. We report flight sample preparation and pre-flight ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) characterization of the ORGANIC samples, which include 11 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and three fullerenes. The corresponding time-dependent ground control monitoring experiments for ORGANIC measured over ∼19 months are presented and the results anticipated upon return of the samples are discussed. We present the first UV–Vis spectrum of solid circobiphenyl (C₃₈H₁₆). Further, we present the first published UV–Vis spectra of diphenanthro[9,10-b′,10′-d]thiophene (C₂₈H₁₆S), dinaphtho[8,1,2-abc,2′,1′,8′-klm]coronene (C₃₆H₁₆), tetrabenzo[de,no,st,c′d′]heptacene (C₄₂H₂₂), and dibenzo[jk,a′b′]octacene (C₄₀H₂₂) in solid phase and in solution. The results of the ORGANIC experiment are expected to enhance our knowledge of the evolution and degradation of large carbon-containing molecules in space environments.     

镜像生物分子

生物分子的手性均一性是地球上生命的重要标志.生命对D型核糖和L型氨基酸的依赖究竟是生命起源的必然,还是早期地球上发生的一次偶然事件,目前尚无定论.地球上生命手性均一性的原因还未能被很好地解释,但一些实验证据已显示基于L型核糖和D型氨基酸的镜像生命被合成出来的可能性.本文简要总结了当前对镜像生物分子的研究进展和方向,并探讨了在实验室中运用新型镜像分子生物学工具构建镜像生命的可行性.     

Did life exist on Mars? Search for organic and inorganic signatures, one of the goals for “SAM” (sample analysis at Mars)

Observation of Mars shows signs of a past Earth-like climate, and, in that case, there is no objection to the possible development of life, in the underground or at the surface, as in the terrestrial primitive biosphere. Sample analysis at Mars (SAM) is an experiment which may be proposed for atmospheric, ground and underground in situ measurements. One of its goals is to bring direct or indirect information on the possibility for life to have developed on Mars, and to detect traces of past or present biological activity. With this aim, it focuses on the detection of organic molecules: volatile organics are extracted from the sample by simple heating, whereas refractory molecules are made analyzable (i.e. volatile), using derivatization technique or fragmentation by pyrolysis. Gaseous mixtures thus obtained are analyzed by gas chromatography associated to mass spectrometry. Beyond organics, carbonates and other salts are associated to the dense and moist atmosphere necessary to the development of life, and might have formed and accumulated in some places on Mars. They represent another target for SAM. Heating of the samples allows the analysis of structural gases of these minerals (CO₂ from carbonates, etc.), enabling to identify them. We also show, in this paper, that it may be possible to discriminate between abiotic minerals, and minerals (shells, etc.) created by living organisms.     

适用于月面高温环境的嫦娥三号地形地貌相机热设计

“嫦娥三号暠月面探测器上安装的地形地貌相机工作时直接暴露在月面高温环境下,受月表红外辐射影响很大,给热控设计带来很大难题。为解决设备工作时的高温问题,在外热流分析的基础上提出了以“最佳散热位置暠为核心的热控方案,设备处于“最佳散热位置暠时能够获得较好的初始温度和最快的降温速率;另外通过把散热面布置在月表红外辐射热流最小的位置并在除散热面以外的其他表面包覆多层隔热组件这两个措施,可以最大程度减小月表红外辐射的影响。地形地貌相机在轨开机工作前的各飞行阶段遥测数据均满足存储温度指标要求并且有较大余量;开机工作环拍一周的遥测数据满足工作温度指标要求并且与热分析结果符合较好,初始温度与遥测温度数据偏差为-1灡7曟,温升速率和降温速率偏差分别为14灡9%和16灡9%。这表明该热控方案正确可行,可为后续中国深空探测类似热控问题参考。     

Miniaturized laser-induced plasma spectrometry for planetary in situ analysis – The case for Jupiter’s moon Europa

Jupiter’s icy moon Europa is one of most promising places in our Solar System where possible extraterrestrial life forms could exist either in the past or even presently. The Europa Lander mission, an exciting part of the international Europa Jupiter System Mission (EJSM/Laplace), considers in situ planetary exploration of the moon. The distance of Europa from the Earth and the Sun asks for autonomous analytical tools that maximize the scientific return at minimal resources, demanding new experimental concepts. We propose a novel instrument, based on the atomic spectroscopy of laser generated plasmas for the elemental analysis of Europa’s surface materials as far as it is in reach of the lander for example by a robotic arm or a mole, or just onboard the lander. The technique of laser-induced plasma spectrometry provides quantitative elemental analysis of all major and many trace elements. It is a fast technique, i.e. an analysis can be performed in a few seconds, which can be applied to many different types of material such as ice, dust or rocks and it does not require any sample preparation. The sensitivity is in the range of tens of ppm and high lateral resolution, down to 50 μm, is feasible. In addition, it provides the potential of depth profiling, up to 2 mm in rock material and up to a few cm in more transparent icy matrices. Key components of the instrument are presently developed in Germany for planetary in situ missions. This development program is accompanied by an in-depth methodical investigation of this technique under planetary environmental conditions.     

Synergies of Earth science and space exploration

A more flexible policy basis from which to manage our planet in the 21st century is desirable. As one contribution, we note that synergies between space exploration and the preservation of our habitat exist, and that protecting life on Earth requires similar concepts and information as investigations of life beyond the Earth, including the expansion of human presence in space. Instrumentation and data handling to observe both planetary objects and planet Earth are based on similar techniques. Moreover, while planetary surface operations are conducted under different conditions, the technology to probe the surface and subsurface of both the Earth and other planets requires similar tools, such as radar, seismometers, and drilling devices. The Earth observation community has developed some exemplary tools and has featured successful international cooperation in data handling and sharing that could be equally well applied to robotic planetary exploration. Here we propose a network involving both communities that will enable the interchange of scientific insights and the development of new policies and management strategies. Those tools can provide a vital forum through which the management of this planet can be assisted, and in which a new bridge between the Earth-centric and space-centric communities can be built.     

Bacterial cellulose may provide the microbial-life biosignature in the rock records

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a matrix for a biofilm formation, which is critical for survival and persistence of microbes in harsh environments. BC could play a significant role in the formation of microbial mats in pristine ecosystems on Earth. The prime objective of this study was to measure to what extent spectral and other characteristics of BC were changed under the performance of BC interaction with the earthly rock – anorthosite – via microorganisms. The spectral analyses (Fourier Transform Infrared FT-IR, spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy) showed unprecedented accumulation of chemical elements in the BC-based biofilm. The absorption capacity of IR by BC was shielded a little by mineral crust formed by microorganisms on the BC-based biofilm surface, especially clearly seen in the range of 1200–900 cm⁻¹ in FT-IR spectra. Confocal scanning laser microscopy analysis revealed that elements bioleached from anorthosite created surface coats on the BC nanofibril web. At the same time, the vibrational spectra bands showed the presence of the characteristic region of anomeric carbons (960–730 cm⁻¹), wherein a band at 897 cm⁻¹ confirmed the presence of β-1, 4-linkages, which may serve as the cellulose fingerprint region. Results show that BC may be a biosignature for search signs of living organisms in rock records.     

A longitudinal & longitudinal-torsional vibration actuator for rotary-percussive ultrasonic planetary drills

Ultrasonic drills, which can sample rocks using a lower weight on bit and lower power, are more suitable for sampling on a minor planet than conventional drills. To remove cutting chips and improve drilling efficiency, rotary-percussive ultrasonic drills (RPUD) drive drill tools for rotary-percussive motion. This paper proposes a novel longitudinal & longitudinal-torsional (L-LT) actuator, which is composed of a stepped horn, a piezoelectric stack, and a longitudinal-torsional (LT) coupler, for the RPUD. The horn magnifies the longitudinal vibration on the front surface of the piezoelectric stack, which is clamped between the horn and the LT coupler, and impacts the drill tool. The LT coupler transforms the longitudinal vibration on the back surface into longitudinal-torsional vibration, which generates elliptical movements that drive the rotor to rotate. Then, the rotor drives the drill tool to rotate. A method of adjusting the displacement amplitudes of the horn and the driving tips is discussed. The prototype achieved a maximum speed and torque of 193?r/min and 0.065?N$·$m, respectively. The maximum drilling speed through sandstone under a weight on bit of 5?N was 13?mm/min.