Microhollow Glow Discharge Instrument for In Situ Lunar Surface Measurements

Makel Engineering, Inc. (MEI) and Penn State University (PSU) propose to develop a highly sensitive spectrometer based on glow discharge plasma emission for the detection/classification of lunar soil components including minerals and adsorbed species (e.g. water). This is a broadly applicable technology for gases, aerosols, and solid samples and would complement technology that is already under development for detection of toxic species to monitor fire cleanup filtration systems on spacecraft.

Evaluation and response to bio- and chemical hazards requires on-site analytical analysis using compact, low power, portable instrumentation featuring high sensitivity with little or no user expertise. Additional applications are found in industrial health and safety applications, exhaust emissions monitoring, atmospheric monitoring, manufacturing, mining, and construction

Outside of manned missions, major targets of interest to NASA's space exploration efforts include Mars, Europa, Titan, comets and other planetary systems. The instrument concept to be developed here is anticipated to be relevant to the following missions; a) comet missions where surface chemical analysis to determine and characterize the organic composition of gas, ice particles and dusts, b) Mars missions for microscale in situ technologies for detection and characterization of organic compounds, improved field analysis of trace or biomarkers and biologically important solutes (e.g. nutrients) and other physical/chemical factors that might be an indication of life. c) Outer solar system missions to Europa (e.g. Europa Orbiter, Europa Lander, Europa Ocean Observer, and Europa Lander Network) for chemical and exobiological analysis, and determining the inventory of organic compounds and biogenic elements. d) Titan missions (e.g. Titan Biologic Explorer) where instruments are needed to search for and identify more complex organic molecules.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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