Characterization of the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) Flight Model for the ESA’s ExoMars 2020 Mission

Paper number

IAC-19,A3,3B,11,x51940

Author

Dr. Andoni G. Moral, Spain, National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA)

Coauthor

Prof. Fernando Rull, Spain

Coauthor

Dr. Sylvestre Maurice, France, Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP)

Coauthor

Dr. Ian Hutchinson, United Kingdom, University of Leicester

Coauthor

Mr. Carlos Pérez, Spain, INTA - Centro de Astrobiologia

Coauthor

Ms. Laura Seoane Purrinos, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Mr. Jose Rodriguez Prieto, Spain, Isdefe

Coauthor

Dr. Gonzalo Ramos, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Mr. Sergio Ibarmia, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Mrs. Maria del Rosario Canchal, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Ms. Paloma Gallego, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Mr. Guillermo López Reyes, Spain

Coauthor

Mr. Tomás Belenguer, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Ms. María Colombo, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Mr. Juan Francisco Cabrero Gómez, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Mr. César Quintana, Spain, INTA

Coauthor

Dr. Pablo Rodríguez Pérez, Spain, Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Coauthor

Mr. Jesús Zafra, Spain, Isdefe

Year

2019

Abstract

The Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) is one of the three purely scientific instruments of the ExoMars 2020 mission, placed into the ALD (Analytical Laboratory Drawer) within the Rosalind Franklin Rover, for analysing crushed samples obtained with the Rover drill, from up to 2 meters depth beneath the Mars surface.
The RLS Instrument, will be able to work under a ‘collaborative science mode’, with its ALD instrument partners: MicrOmega (IR and VIS spectrometer) and MOMA (Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometry. This capability would boost the potential scientific return, since the analysed samples will be studied by the three instruments.
The RLS Instrument, will be the first Raman spectrometer for space use, opening a period of new-generation instruments for planetary exploration, where much more and more accurate scientific information could be obtained. The development of the Instrument was done among a Spain-France-UK-German consortium, leaded by INTA (the Spanish Aerospace and Technological Development Institute) and it was finally delivered to ESA’s contractor (TAS-I) on December 2018. 
Since then, and under its final configuration on the Rover ALD, several end-to-end tests were done at Instrument level (using the Instrument Calibration Target) and characterizing several important aspects for the future Instrument operation (spectral calibration, noise levels, operation algorithms…). These results, and its comparison with the ones obtained in the laboratory, with Mars representative samples, before its delivery, will be described in this contribution.

Abstract document

IAC-19,A3,3B,11,x51940.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-19,A3,3B,11,x51940.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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