Constraining the Rosalind Franklin Rover/Ma_MISS Instrument Capability in the Detection of Organics

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Astrobiology
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• The ESA Rosalind Franklin rover's Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies (Ma_MISS) is designed for in-situ analysis of the Martian subsurface.
• Ma_MISS utilizes visible and near-infrared spectroscopy to determine rock composition, material properties, and geological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the capability of the Ma_MISS instrument to detect organic matter in Martian subsurface samples.
• To investigate the detection limits and spectral characteristics of various organic compounds mixed with Martian regolith simulants.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of mineral/organic mixtures using kaolinite and nontronite with glycine, asphaltite, polyoxymethylene, and benzoic acid.
• Acquisition of laboratory spectral data using a Ma_MISS instrument model on these prepared mixtures.
• Analysis of spectral data to determine the detection limits and identify spectral signatures of organic matter.

Main Results:

• The Ma_MISS instrument can detect organic material down to approximately 1 wt % abundance.
• Spectral analysis successfully distinguished between mineral-only and mineral/organic mixtures, even for fine-grained samples below the instrument's spatial resolution.
• Multiple contiguous measurements can enhance the detection of organic matter in clay-rich soils.

Conclusions:

• The Ma_MISS instrument is capable of detecting significant organic material in the Martian subsurface.
• Spectral data analysis techniques can overcome limitations posed by grain size and low organic abundance.
• Ma_MISS data will be crucial for identifying potential biomarkers and understanding subsurface geology on Mars.