The Sample Analysis at Mars Investigation and Instrument Suite

Mahaffy, P. R.; Webster, Christopher R.; Cabane, Michel; Conrad, Pamela G.; Coll, Patrice; Atreya, S. K.; Arvey, Robert; Barciniak, Michael; Benna, M.; Bleacher, L. V.; Brinckerhoff, W. B.; Eigenbrode, J. L.; Carignan, Daniel; Cascia, Mark; Chalmers, Robert A.; Dworkin, Jason P.; Errigo, Therese; Everson, Paula; Franz, H. B.; Farley, Rodger; Feng, Steven; Frazier, Gregory; Freissinet, Caroline; Glavin, Daniel P.; Harpold, Daniel; Hawk, Douglas; Holmes, Vincent; Johnson, Christopher; Jones, Andrea; Jordan, Patrick R.; Kellogg, James; Lewis, Jesse; Lyness, Eric; Malespin, C. A.; Martin, David K.; Maurer, John; McAdam, A. C.; McLennan, Douglas; Nolan, Thomas; Noriega, Marvin; Pavlov, Alexander A.; Prats, Benito; Raaen, E.; Sheinman, Oren; Sheppard, D.; Smith, J. S.; Stern, J. C.; Tan, Florence; Trainer, M. G.; Ming, D. W.; Morris, R. V.; Jones, J. H.; Gundersen, Cindy; Steele, A.; Wray, J. J.; Botta, Oliver; Leshin, L. A.; Owen, Tobias; Battel, Steve; Jakosky, B. M.; Manning, Heidi; Squyres, S. W.; Navarro‐González, R.; McKay, Christopher P.; Raulin, F.; Sternberg, R.; Buch, Arnaud; Sörensen, Paul; Kline-Schoder, Robert; Coscia, David; Szopa, Cyril; Teinturier, Samuel; Baffes, Curt; Feldman, Jason; Flesch, G.; Forouhar, Siamak; Garcia, Ray; Keymeulen, Didier; Woodward, Steve; Block, Bruce; Arnett, Ken; Miller, Ryan; Edmonson, Charles; Gorevan, Stephen; Mumm, E.

doi:10.1007/s11214-012-9879-z

Cited by 479 publications

(390 citation statements)

References 167 publications

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“…Two drill samples informally named John Klein (drilled on sol 183) and Cumberland (drilled on sol 279) were extracted for delivery to the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) (5) and Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) (6) instruments. The samples were obtained from the lowermost stratigraphic unit in the Yellowknife Bay formation, informally named the Sheepbed member (1).…”

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confidence: 99%

Volatile and Organic Compositions of Sedimentary Rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars

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Glavin

et al. 2014

Science

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H 2 O, CO 2 , SO 2 , O 2 , H 2 , H 2 S, HCl, chlorinated hydrocarbons, NO, and other trace gases were evolved during pyrolysis of two mudstone samples acquired by the Curiosity rover at Yellowknife Bay within Gale crater, Mars. H 2 O/OH-bearing phases included 2:1 phyllosilicate(s), bassanite, akaganeite, and amorphous materials. Thermal decomposition of carbonates and combustion of organic materials are candidate sources for the CO 2 . Concurrent evolution of O 2 and chlorinated hydrocarbons suggests the presence of oxychlorine phase(s). Sulfides are likely sources for sulfur-bearing species. Higher abundances of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the mudstone compared with Rocknest windblown materials previously analyzed by Curiosity suggest that indigenous martian or meteoritic organic carbon sources may be preserved in the mudstone; however, the carbon source for the chlorinated hydrocarbons is not definitively of martian origin.

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confidence: 99%

Volatile and Organic Compositions of Sedimentary Rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars

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Glavin

et al. 2014

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“…SAM is composed of three independent but interoperable instruments. A Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QMS), a Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) and a Gas Chromatograph (GC) with 6 different embedded chromatographic columns [3].…”

Section: Fig 1 Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover At the Gobabementioning

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Operations of the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite onboard the Curiosity rover

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Szopa

Coscia

et al. 2018

2018 SpaceOps Conference

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The Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite, onboard the Curiosity rover, has been analyzing the martian environment since August 05 th 2012, as one of the main tools of the Mars Science Laboratory mission. This suite is composed of three independent but interoperable instruments, namely a Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, a Tunable Laser Spectrometer and a Gas Chromatograph, plus a sophisticated Sample Manipulation System. SAM is used to analyze soils, rocks and atmosphere. For instance, it detected in situ martian complex organics for the first time, provide us with a several years survey of the atmospheric composition and helped understand how the martian environment evolved through the planet history. At 40 kg, it represents half of the scientific payload weight of Curiosity and is one of the two analytical instruments of the mission. This instrument suite is the result of an international collaboration between the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a consortium of French laboratories supported by the Center National d'Études Spatiales (the French space agency). This contribution will present the organization of the SAM operational workflow from the ground infrastructure, to flight operations and laboratory supporting work. It will also describe how the CNES hosts and supports the SAM team during this exciting mission.

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“…The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite is dedicated to this analysis (Mahaffy et al 2012). To enhance organic detectability, some of the samples will be processed with derivatization reagents which will dissolve organic molecules from the soil before pyrolysis, and may separate them from the soil perchlorates (Mahaffy et al 2012). The first measurements with SAM have provided similar results to those of both the Phoenix and Viking missions.…”

Section: The Search For Organics and Habitability On Early Marsmentioning

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Astrobiology and the Possibility of Life on Earth and Elsewhere…

et al. 2015

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Astrobiology is an interdisciplinary scientific field not only focused on the search of extraterrestrial life, but also on deciphering the key environmental parameters that have enabled the emergence of life on Earth. Understanding these physical and chemical parameters is fundamental knowledge necessary not only for discovering life or signs of life on other planets, but also for understanding our own terrestrial environment. Therefore, astrobiology pushes us to combine different perspectives such as the conditions on the primitive Earth, the Team of interdisciplinary scientists focused on astrobiology to review the profound transformations in the field that have occurred since the beginning of the new century. The present paper is an interdisciplinary review of current research in astrobiology, covering the major advances and main outlooks in the field. The following subjects will be reviewed and most recent discoveries will be highlighted: the new understanding of planetary system formation including the specificity of the Earth among the diversity of planets, the origin of water on Earth and its unique combined properties among solvents for the emergence of life, the idea that the Earth could have been habitable during the Hadean Era, the inventory of endogenous and exogenous sources of organic matter and new concepts about how chemistry could evolve towards biological molecules and biological systems. In addition, many new findings show the remarkable potential life has for adaptation and survival in extreme environments. All those results from different fields of science are guiding our perspectives and strategies to look for life in other Solar System objects as well as beyond, in extrasolar worlds.

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The Sample Analysis at Mars Investigation and Instrument Suite

Cited by 479 publications

References 167 publications

Volatile and Organic Compositions of Sedimentary Rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars

Volatile and Organic Compositions of Sedimentary Rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars

Operations of the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite onboard the Curiosity rover

Astrobiology and the Possibility of Life on Earth and Elsewhere…

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