We have developed a portable dual-wavelength laser fluorescence spectrometer as part of a multi-instrument optical probe to characterize mineral, organic, and microbial species in extreme environments. Operating at 405 and 532 nm, the instrument was originally designed for use by human explorers to produce a laser-induced fluorescence emission (L.I.F.E.) spectral database of the mineral and organic molecules found in the microbial communities of Earth's cryosphere. Recently, our team had the opportunity to explore the strengths and limitations of the instrument when it was deployed on a remote-controlled Mars analog rover. In February 2013, the instrument was deployed on board the Magma White rover platform during the MARS2013 Mars analog field mission in the Kess Kess formation near Erfoud, Morocco. During these tests, we followed tele-science work flows pertinent to Mars surface missions in a simulated spaceflight environment. We report on the L.I.F.E. instrument setup, data processing, and performance during field trials. A pilot postmission laboratory analysis determined that rock samples acquired during the field mission exhibited a fluorescence signal from the Sun-exposed side characteristic of chlorophyll a following excitation at 405 nm. A weak fluorescence response to excitation at 532 nm may have originated from another microbial photosynthetic pigment, phycoerythrin, but final assignment awaits development of a comprehensive database of mineral and organic fluorescence spectra. No chlorophyll fluorescence signal was detected from the shaded underside of the samples.
Magma White is an analog Mars rover platform created by ABM SE and offered to the developers of scientific equipment built for space exploration missions, who want to test their devices at low-and mid-Technology Readiness Levels in demanding conditions of desert, Alpine and polar regions or artificial environments. The rover offers a remote access to the payload through the Magma White mission control system. The paper summarizes the background of the analog solution. It covers universal interfacing setup and issues related to the team and technological partners, who supply elements of the payloads. Two analog missions provide a case study: Dachstein 2012, when "WISDOM" ground penetrating radar for Exomars was tested onboard Magma White, and Morocco 2013, with "L.I.F.E." payload and complete remote access from Europe.
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