Institution: | aKayser-Threde GmbH, Wolfratshauser Strasse 48, 81379 München, Germany bDepartment of Geosciences, University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany cGerman Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 51170 Köln, Germany |
Abstract: | For more than a decade Kayser-Threde, a medium-sized enterprise of the German space industry, has been involved in astrobiology research in partnership with a variety of scientific institutes from all over Europe. Previous projects include exobiology research platforms in low Earth orbit on retrievable carriers and onboard the Space Station. More recently, exobiology payloads for in situ experimentation on Mars have been studied by Kayser-Threde under ESA contracts, specifically the ExoMars Pasteur Payload. These studies included work on a sample preparation and distribution systems for Martian rock/regolith samples, instrument concepts such as Raman spectroscopy and a Life Marker Chip, advanced microscope systems as well as robotic tools for astrobiology missions. The status of the funded technical studies and major results are presented. The reported industrial work was funded by ESA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). |