학술논문

Ultraviolet Laser Development for Planetary Lander Missions
Document Type
Conference
Source
2020 IEEE Aerospace Conference Aerospace Conference, 2020 IEEE. :1-11 Mar, 2020
Subject
Aerospace
Communication, Networking and Broadcast Technologies
Components, Circuits, Devices and Systems
Computing and Processing
Engineering Profession
Robotics and Control Systems
Signal Processing and Analysis
Language
Abstract
Mass spectrometers represent progressive analytical platforms for future in situ lander missions to explore the surface chemistry of planetary bodies. Europa (as an astrobiology objective) and the Moon (an extension of the terrestrial system) are two primary targets for future NASA missions to search for extraterrestrial life and potentially habitable environments beyond Earth, further our understanding of the timing and formation of the Solar System, and identify potentially viable economic resources such as water and/or valuable metal assets. The CORALS (Characterization of Ocean Residues And Life Signatures) and CRATER (Characterization of Regolith And Trace Economic Resources) instruments are laser-based Orbitrap™ mass spectrometers currently under development for prospective lander missions to Europa and the Moon, respectively. We report on the advancement of two compact, robust, and high technology readiness level (TRL) ultraviolet (UV) solid state lasers that serve as the sampling and ionization sources of these two investigations.