Extraterrestrial Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI)

Future missions to Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and beyond may seek the molecular signs of extraterrestrial life through chemical analysis of acquired samples. Particularly on ocean worlds such as Europa and Enceladus, samples may contain trace ocean-borne molecular biosignatures of extant life that may or may not share similarities to those of terrestrial life. In situ analyses must be prepared to detect and characterize a wide range of possible molecular species, structures, and patterns, typically with exquisite sensitivity and within a complex, poorly-characterized planetary environment. The Extraterrestrial Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) is designed to meet or exceed the requirements of such missions for organic molecular analysis through a powerful combination of dual chemical separation and both optical and mass spectrometry detection techniques, realized in an integrated, compact instrument package fully compatible with anticipated flight resources and conditions. The full EMILI instrument combines two sample analysis subsystems to provide wide-ranging and complementary detection of organic compounds and inorganic salts. The Gas Analysis Processing System (GAPS) uses a chemical derivatization protocol with gas chromatography (GC) separation prior to detection in an ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) to enable full characterization of lower-polarity, volatile and semi-volatile molecules such as fatty acids and hydrocarbons. The Organic Capillary Electrophoresis ANalysis System (OCEANS) uses a liquid-based extraction protocol with CE separation to enable precise analysis of more water-soluble/polar compounds. OCEANS features a laser-induced fluorescence detection mode to perform ultra-sensitive quantitative analysis of chiral amino acids. In EMILI, OCEANS is additionally coupled to the same ITMS through a novel electrospray ionization interface. The common ITMS allows EMILI to identify and cross-correlate molecular species and patterns, detected through either or both protocols, of molecular weights to over 1000 u, potentially revealing complex biosignatures such as alien oligopeptides and informational polymers. With previous support under the Instrument Concepts for Europa Exploration – 2 (ICEE-2) Program, EMILI instrument design has been validated through end-to-end breadboard testing in all modes using flight-like protocols. For a Europa Lander and similar mission configurations, EMILI has reached technology readiness level (TRL) 4 for the full system, TRL 5 for selected subsystems, and TRL 6 for several individual sensor assemblies, notably the high-heritage GC and ITMS analyzer. Here we propose to advance the TRL of EMILI across the board, with a special focus on the OCEANS-ITMS subsystem and its critical CE-ESI-ITMS interface that will reach TRL 6 through stepwise development and full flight environmental verification of an EMILI Engineering Test Unit (ETU). The ETU will feature a highly-compact flight-like housing and electrical/fluidic connections and interfaces, and will be subjected to performance testing under thermal, vacuum, vibration/shock, electromagnetic compatibility, and power/energy requirements relevant to Europa Lander, Enceladus Orbilander, and Mars surface missions. A comprehensive review of TRL 6 status, including any mission-specific conditions such as radiation tolerance for Europa based on completed ICEE-2 work, will be conducted in the final year, leaving time and resources available for retuning and publication of a complete analysis of readiness and path-to-flight requirements for specific missions that may benefit from EMILI-enabled science.

Enabling lower cost innovative remote sensing instrument development from concept through breadboard and demonstration

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