In situ Chemistry Experiment – µscope, Photoluminescence and Raman Observations on Icy Satellites (ICE-µPROBIS)

The surface of ice satellites with known subsurface oceans (e.g., Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, Enceladus and Titan) are likely to contain the compositional imprints of the underlying interior ocean and their radiation processed products [1][2]. For instance, the community consensus is that Europa harbors liquid water beneath an icy crust, which has raised the possibility that life, or conditions favorable for life exist. Here we present the evolution of a powerful instrument “In situ Chemistry Experiment - μscope, Photoluminescence and Raman OBservations on Icy Satellites (ICE-μPROBIS),” a derivative of an instrument [3] proposed for a past NASA ROSES ICEE-2 AO, that can detect life biosignatures.  The current Europa Lander Mission concept [4] with its advanced sample collection and analysis system, will be a blueprint for future lander/rover missions to other ocean worlds. ICE-μPROBIS instrument onboard the next generation of lander or rover mission will provide the unprecedented opportunity to carry out time-resolved Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, of ice samples collected from the surface, to discover if present, the types and distribution of biotic and abiotic organic compounds, measure CHNOPS containing organics and minerals and correlate them to radiolysis processed and textural features. ICE-µPROBIS includes an optical microscope to provide context imaging for the spectroscopy. Here, we describe ICE-μPROBIS’s capabilities and discuss time-resolved Raman and luminescence spectra of amino acids [5], PAHs [6] and, hydrated sulfates minerals and sulfuric acid [7] on the surface and subsurface of water-ice samples.

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