Sample Preparation and Handling System and Payload Aspects for the European ExoMars Mission
- Paper number
IAC-07-A3.3.04
- Author
Dr. Peter Hofmann, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Wolfgang Schulte, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. C. Widani, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Year
2007
- Abstract
At present Europe is preparing for ExoMars, the first European led Mars Exploration Rover Mission. This mission will search for traces of past and present life and investigate the Mars environment and geophysical properties. The German medium-sized company Kayser-Threde is involved in various tasks in the present ESA Phase B1 Study: 1) Analytical integration of the PASTEUR Exobiology Payload for ExoMars in support to Alcatel Alenia Space Italy (AAS-I, the ExoMars industrial prime) 2) Definition of a Geophysics and Environmental Package (GEP) in support to AAS-I 3) Responsibiltiy for the design of the Sample Preparation and Distribution mechanism (SPDS), definition of concepts, detailed design and breadboarding tasks as subcontractor to Galileo Avionica Italy (GA-I). These demanding tasks are part of the ExoMars Payload Support System which includes, apart from the SPDS and classical support systems such as structure-, power- and electronic subsystems, a drill (GA-I) to collect samples from the Mars surface and subsurface up to two meters underground. The SPDS receives raw samples collected by the drill, distributes and presents core samples (as "raw" samples) to one group of instruments, prepares and distributes fine powder to another group of instruments, and further stores and disposes samples. The instruments of the analytical laboratory PASTEUR fall into two groups requiring different sample configurations: (1) Untreated solid cores (either entire solid cores or broken cores/gravel from the drill) shall be optically inspected by the optical microscope and the Raman/LIBS spectrometer (2) Pulverized samples (cores milled to fine grained powder) shall be fed to the UREY instrument comprising a Mars Organic Detector and Oxident Instrument, Life Marker Chip (LMC), Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer, and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) for physio-chemical analyses. This paper will summarize the status of the SPDS elements. The payload comprising the PASTEUR instruments (and GEP where appropriate) will be presented and highlighted. The SPDS and the milling station concepts and breadboards will be described.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-A3.3.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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