Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) mass spectrometer for ExoMars 2018 and beyond

Abstract

The 2018 joint ESA-Roscosmos ExoMars rover mission will seek the signs of past or present life in the near-surface environment of Mars. The rover will obtain samples from as deep as two meters beneath the surface and deliver them to an onboard analytical laboratory for detailed examination. The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) investigation forms a core part of the sample analysis capability of ExoMars. Its top objective is to address the main "life signs" goal of the mission through detailed chemical analysis of the acquired samples. MOMA characterizes organic compounds in the samples with a novel dual ion source ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS). The ITMS supports both pyrolysis-gas chromatography (pyr-GC) and Mars ambient laser desorption/ionization (LDI) analyses in an extremely compact package. Combined with the unprecedented depth sampling capability of ExoMars, MOMA affords a broad and powerful search for organics over a range of preservational environments, volatility, and molecular weight.

Evidence for perchlorates and the origin of chlorinated hydrocarbons detected by SAM at the Rocknest aeolian deposit in Gale Crater

“…Future SAM wet chemistry experiments at sample temperatures below 200°C will be carried out to extract and transform polar or refractory organic compounds into more stable volatile derivatives prior to the onset of perchlorate combustion and release of O 2 . The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) on the 2018 ExoMars rover mission may avoid the perchlorate oxidation issue by using a laser desorption mode that samples organics directly from solid mineral surfaces [ Brinckerhoff et al ., ]. The extremely brief (~1 ns) laser pulse desorbs and ionizes organics before they have an opportunity to be degraded and oxidized by the fragments of desorbed perchlorates and other inorganic species.…”

Miniature and Fieldable Mass Spectrometers: Recent Advances

“…The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) is an instrument suite on the ExoMars rover (European Space Agency and Russian Federal Space Agency) that is designed to detect biomarkers. 240,241 Its two modes of operation are GC/MS, for detection and identification of volatiles, and laser desorption mass spectrometry for nonvolatile analytes. Samples are obtained by a drill on the Rover and are either subjected to laser ablation or heated by one of 21 ovens in order to release volatile compounds for GC separation and electron impact ionization.…”

Evidence for perchlorates and the origin of chlorinated hydrocarbons detected by SAM at the rocknest aeolian deposit in gale crater

“…[42] Future SAM wet chemistry experiments at sample temperatures below 200°C will be carried out to extract and transform polar or refractory organic compounds into more stable volatile derivatives prior to the onset of perchlorate combustion and release of O 2 . The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) on the 2018 ExoMars rover mission may avoid the perchlorate oxidation issue by using a laser desorption mode that samples organics directly from solid mineral surfaces [Brinckerhoff et al, 2013]. The extremely brief (~1 ns) laser pulse desorbs and ionizes organics before they have an opportunity to be degraded and oxidized by the fragments of desorbed perchlorates and other inorganic species.…”