Multispectral Organic Detection and Near-Infrared Exobiology Tool (HBR)

We propose to build and demonstrate to TRL 4 the Multispectral Organic Detection and Near-Infrared Exobiology Tool (MONET), for organic and mineral mapping in situ on unprepared surfaces. One of the main science goals in planetary exploration is to investigate the primordial sources of organic matter in planetary systems and determine where organic synthesis continues today. This is a crosscutting science theme in the list of missions recommended in the Origins, Worlds, and Life Decadal Survey. The ability to detect and characterize organic matter is a key capability in the search for evidence of life beyond Earth, one of NASA's highest priorities in space exploration. MONET enables objectives relating to organic and mineral detection and classification by providing two major advances over the state-of-the-art. 1) MONET integrates green Raman spectroscopy with ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence spectroscopy, leveraging the strengths of each technique to spatially locate trace organics with UV fluorescence, and perform co-located Raman measurements at locations that offer the best chance of containing organics and potential biosignatures. 2) MONET measures for the first time in a planetary instrument sub-nanosecond (time-resolved) fluorescence. In this manner, MONET overcomes ambiguities in state-of-the-art planetary spectrometers in distinguishing organic from mineral fluorescence. MONET also uses the time domain to isolate Raman scattering from potentially overwhelming background fluorescence, enabling a step-change in the quality of Raman spectra, and consequently increasing the ability to determine chemical structure in situ. With these capabilities MONET addresses priority science goals relevant for landers, rovers, and plume fly-throughs. With integrated Raman and time-resolved UV fluorescence spectroscopy, MONET provides multiple in situ lines of evidence for the presence of organics, including microorganisms, across cm-scale natural surfaces, a transformational capability for planetary exploration. In PICASSO we will assemble a MONET breadboard and validate performance for science objectives targeting icy and rocky environments. The three key subsystems that will be demonstrated are: 1) a miniature sub-nanosecond time-resolved detector and custom dual Raman/UV spectrometer; 2) a dual-wavelength visible and ultraviolet laser; and 3) a mapping and imaging optical assembly. Under this PICASSO we will assemble and integrate the breadboard, and conduct comprehensive Science Validation, testing MONET in a combined clean and cold facility, to demonstrate performance on well-characterized standards, a suite of cold-adapted microorganisms, complex natural organics, and natural glacial ice cores from polar environments. These developments will advance MONET from TRL 2 to 4. MONET addresses the need recognized in the Origins, Worlds, and Life 2023-2032 Decadal Survey, and NASA Strategic Plan Goal 1 Objective 1.2, to detect ultra-low concentrations of organics and microorganisms. The compact nature of the instrument would enable trace organic detection in small-scale missions (e.g. Discovery), meeting the anticipated future need for small, low-mass, and low power consumption instruments. MONET is relevant for any mission to Mars, icy moons, or small bodies whose priority goal is to search for organic matter and potential biosignatures. These mission categories will likely grow in importance in the next decade with increased emphasis on astrobiology.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.