Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Sep 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.5710b&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #57.10
Mathematics
Logic
Scientific paper
The search for signs of past or present life is one of the primary goals of the future Mars exploratory missions. With this aim the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) experiment of the ExoMars 2016 next coming European Space Agency mission is designed to the in situ analysis of organic molecules of exobiological interest in the Martian soil such as amino acids, carboxylic acids, nucleobases or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
With the aim to extract from the soil, separate and detect organic compounds we have developed a sample processing system allowing the Gas Chromatographic analysis, within space compatible operating conditions, of the refractory organic compounds able to be contained at trace level in the Martian soil.
The sample processing is performed in the oven dedicated to the MOMA experiment containing the solid sample ( 200mg). The internal temperature can be ranged from 20 to 1000 °C. The extraction step is achieved by using thermodesorption in the range of 100 to 300°C for 5 to 20 min. Then, the chemical derivatization or thermochemolysis of the extracted compounds is achieved directly on the soil with a mixture of MTBSTFA-DMF, TMAH or DMF-DMA solution when enantiomeric separation is required. By decreasing the polarity of the target molecules, this step allows their volatilization at a temperature below 250°C without any chemical degradation. Once derivatized, the target volatile molecules are trapped in a cold or chemical trap and promptly desorbed in the gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer.
Organic compounds such as amino and carboxylic acids contained in Martian analogue soil (Atacama) have been detected by using our sample processing system.
Buch Arnaud
Coll Patrice
El bekri J.
Freissinet Caroline
Garnier Carole
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