LASER ABLATION MASS ANALYZER (LAMA)

The surface of the Moon presents an outstanding environment for fundamental planetary science exploration. In the imminent robotic lunar surface missions of the next decade, it will be critical to chemically analyze a wide variety of materials in situ-at fine spatial scales and to trace concentrations-as efficiently as possible. As indicated in the Artemis III Science Definition Team Report, in situ measurements through the geophysical payloads deployment holds immense value, as Artemis III measurements constitute a foundational step toward the understanding of lunar composition on a global scale. Such a capability would provide a rapid, high-quality science return; real-time "triage" to select samples meriting more in-depth analysis; prioritization of samples selected for Earth return, and sensitive identification of resource-containing phases, including point detection of water and its fine-scale mineralogical association. A powerful technical approach to such a capability in the lunar environment is the application of pulsed laser ablation mass spectrometry, which combines the efficiency and precision of laser sampling with the sensitivity and accuracy of mass spectrometric chemical and isotopic analysis. We propose to develop a highly compact Laser Ablation Mass Analyzer (LAMA) instrument that addresses key chemical detection and analysis measurement objectives as anticipated for realistic next-decade lunar landers and rovers. LAMA would be the first planetary mass spectrometer deployable on a lander or rover robotic arm able to analyze pristine samples at a variable range (up to at least 30 cm). LAMA provides rapid point-by-point and layer-by-layer (depth profiling) analysis of rock-forming elements, as well as detection of water, carbon-rich phases, isotopic fractionation, and trace elements at concentrations to parts-per-million by weight. At only ~3 kg for the entire potential flight instrument, LAMA represents an enabling leap forward in the ability to address priority scientific and human exploration objectives on surface missions that will launch within coming decade. LAMA is based upon, and significantly enhances, an earlier laser mass spectrometer design developed for airless small body missions. A version called the LASer Mass Analyzer (LASMA) was incorporated on the ill-fated Phobos Grunt mission. LASMA requires precise positioning of sample surfaces at a fixed, few-cm distance from the instrument aperture. LAMA takes advantage of a new, advanced operational mode that enables deployment on an articulated arm or platform and to analyze surface samples over a variable target range (VTR) from 5 cm to at least 30 cm beyond the end of the sensor, which has been theoretically demonstrated by our team before. This development enables LAMA to support both exploration and detailed analysis of heterogeneous surfaces such as expected on future lunar landers. While LAMA is proposed here to meet the Lunar Lander Focus Area for specificity, its potential extends far beyond, making it an ideal candidate for inclusion in payloads for missions to various airless bodies. These include focused asteroid and cometary landers as well as flagship missions such as the Enceladus Orbilander and the Europa Lander, aligning with the high-priority objectives outlined in the Origins, Worlds, and Life Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey. Under PICASSO, our team will bring LAMA from TRL 3 (a mix of LASMA-based breadboard subsystem hardware in labs at Goddard) to TRL 4 (enhanced LAMA breadboard incorporating VTR tested with analog samples at high vacuum) by focusing on analyzer and optical elements.

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