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Universe
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Developments and Technology Trends in the Space-Borne Instrumentation
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Developments and Technology Trends in the Space-Borne Instrumentation

A special issue of Universe (ISSN 2218-1997). This special issue belongs to the section "Space Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 9730

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marek Tulej

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Space Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
Interests: space instrumentation for the chemical composition of planetary surfaces and atmospheres; laser based mass spectrometry and miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometry spectrometry for space applications
Dr. Ezio Caroli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), Astrophysics and Space Science Observatory of Bologna (OAS), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
Interests: hard X and soft gamma ray polarimtery; broad band laue lens for hard X and soft gamma rays; room temperature solid state detector; code mask imaging; 2D/3D spectroscopic imager for X and gamma rays
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Universe volume covers original research on the developments in space-borne instrumentation designed for in situ chemical analysis of planetary surfaces and atmospheres. Advances in space exploration have placed increased demands on the performance of current space instrumentation which would allow for detailed analyses of the isotope composition, context chemical composition or detection of organic and bioorganic compounds within the planetary surface and/or their atmosphere (exosphere). Such data can offer possibilities for in-depth analyses of geological transformation and are important in searches for extinct or extant life on other planets. Furthermore, new instruments for chemical analysis are being developed with new technology and fabrication techniques which can be applied on a lander, rover or from an orbiting spacecraft.

The aim of the current Special Issue is to provide researchers with the opportunity to publish their up to date research, development, ideas and results in a field-specific volume. We are inviting contributions that cover conceptual designs and performance studies of space-relevant instruments, such as those applied so far in the investigation of the Moon, Mercury, Mars and small planetary bodies; however, we would also like contributions which cover new technology, such as instruments developed for icy worlds or Venusian atmospheres. Research groups involved both in the development and/or implementation of satellite instruments and in the analysis of measurements obtained from missions already operational in planetary studies are particularly encouraged to contribute to this Special Issue.

Dr. Marek Tulej
Dr. Ezio Caroli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Universe is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • in situ chemical analysis
  • planetary surface
  • planetary atmosphere
  • elemental (isotope) composition
  • isotope fractionation
  • organic and bioorganic compounds
  • capillary electrophoresis
  • gas/liquid chromatography
  • laser mass spectrometry (LIMS)
  • LIBS
  • Raman spectroscopy
  • orbitrap
  • laser desorption
  • chemical surface imaging techniques
  • biosensors

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2013 KiB  
Article
Jupiter’s Atmosphere Dynamics Based on High-Resolution Spectroscopy with VLT/ESPRESSO
by Pedro Machado, José E. Silva, Francisco Brasil, José Ribeiro, Ruben Gonçalves and Miguel Silva
Universe 2023, 9(12), 491; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/universe9120491 - 24 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3399
Abstract
We present a new study of Jupiter’s atmosphere dynamics using for the first time the extremely high-resolution capabilities of VLT/ESPRESSO to retrieve wind velocities in Jupiter’s troposphere, with a dedicated ground-based Doppler velocimetry method. This work is primarily a proof-of-concept for retrieving Jupiter’s [...] Read more.
We present a new study of Jupiter’s atmosphere dynamics using for the first time the extremely high-resolution capabilities of VLT/ESPRESSO to retrieve wind velocities in Jupiter’s troposphere, with a dedicated ground-based Doppler velocimetry method. This work is primarily a proof-of-concept for retrieving Jupiter’s winds using VLT/ESPRESSO Doppler velocities. These results are complemented by a re-analysis of Cassini’s data from its fly-by of Jupiter in December 2000, performing cloud tracking at visible wavelengths, for cross comparison with Doppler velocimetry results, along with previous cloud-tracking results. We explore the effectiveness of this refined method to measure winds in Jupiter, using high-resolution spectroscopy data obtained from ESPRESSO observations performed in July 2019, with a Doppler velocimetry method based on backscattered solar radiation in the visible range. Coupled with our ground-based results, we retrieved a latitudinal and longitudinal profile of Jupiter’s winds along select bands of the atmosphere. Comparing the results between cloud-tracking methods, based on previous reference observations, and our new Doppler velocimetry approach, we found a good agreement between them, demonstrating the effectiveness of this technique. The winds obtained in this exploratory study have a two-fold relevance: they contribute to the temporal and spatial variability study of Jupiter’s troposphere dynamics, and the results presented here also validate the use of this Doppler technique to study the dynamics of Jupiter’s atmosphere and pave the way for further exploration of a broader region of Jupiter’s disk for a more comprehensive retrieval of winds and to evaluate their spatial and temporal variability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments and Technology Trends in the Space-Borne Instrumentation)
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18 pages, 1312 KiB  
Article
Advances in Mass Spectrometers for Flyby Space Missions for the Analysis of Biosignatures and Other Complex Molecules
by Rico G. Fausch, Janis A. Schertenleib and Peter Wurz
Universe 2022, 8(8), 416; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/universe8080416 - 10 Aug 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1593
Abstract
Spacecraft flybys provide access to the chemical composition of the gaseous envelope of the planetary object. Typical relative encounter velocities range from km/s to tens of km/s in flybys. For speeds exceeding about 5 km/s, modern mass spectrometers analyzing the rapidly encountering gas [...] Read more.
Spacecraft flybys provide access to the chemical composition of the gaseous envelope of the planetary object. Typical relative encounter velocities range from km/s to tens of km/s in flybys. For speeds exceeding about 5 km/s, modern mass spectrometers analyzing the rapidly encountering gas suffer from intrinsic hypervelocity impact-induced fragmentation processes causing ambiguous results when analyzing complex molecules. In this case, instruments use an antechamber, inside which the incoming species collide many times with the chamber wall. These collisions cause the desired deceleration and thermalization of the gas molecules. However, these collisions also dissociate molecular bonds, thus fragmenting the molecules, and possibly forming new ones precluding scientists from inferring the actual chemical composition of the sampled gas. We developed a novel time-of-flight mass spectrometer that handles relative encounter velocities of up to 20 km/s omitting an antechamber and its related fragmentation. It analyzes the complete mass range of m/z 1 to 1000 at an instance. This innovation leads to unambiguous analysis of complex (organic) molecules. Applied to Enceladus, Europa or Io, it will provide reliable chemical composition datasets for exploration of the Solar System to determine its status, origin and evolution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments and Technology Trends in the Space-Borne Instrumentation)
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Review

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25 pages, 4208 KiB  
Review
Towards In-Situ Geochemical Analysis of Planetary Rocks and Soils by Laser Ablation/Ionisation Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
by Marek Tulej, Peter Keresztes Schmidt, Salome Gruchola, Coenraad P. de Koning, Kristina A. Kipfer, Nikita J. Boeren, Niels F. W. Ligterink, Andreas Riedo and Peter Wurz
Universe 2022, 8(8), 410; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/universe8080410 - 04 Aug 2022
Viewed by 2412
Abstract
Spectroscopic instruments were a part of payloads on orbiter and lander missions and delivered vast data sets to explore minerals, elements and molecules on air-less rocky planets, asteroids and comets on global and local scales. To answer current space science questions, the chemical [...] Read more.
Spectroscopic instruments were a part of payloads on orbiter and lander missions and delivered vast data sets to explore minerals, elements and molecules on air-less rocky planets, asteroids and comets on global and local scales. To answer current space science questions, the chemical composition of planetary rocks and soils at grain scale is required, as well as measurements of element (isotope) concentrations down to the part per million or lower. Only mass spectrometric methods equipped with laser sampling ion sources can deliver the necessary information. Laser sampling techniques can reduce the dimensions of the investigated sample material down to micrometre scale, allowing for the composition analysis of grain-sized objects or thin mineral layers with sufficiently high spatial resolution, such that important geological processes can be recognised and studied as they progressed in time. We describe the performance characteristics, when applied to meteorite and geological samples, of a miniaturised laser ablation/ionisation mass spectrometer (named LMS) system that has been developed in our group. The main advantages of the LMS instrument over competing techniques are illustrated by examples of high spatial (lateral and vertical) resolution studies in different meteorites, terrestrial minerals and fossil-like structures in ancient rocks for most elements of geochemical interest. Top-level parameters, such as dimension, weight, and power consumption of a possible flight design of the LMS system are presented as well. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments and Technology Trends in the Space-Borne Instrumentation)
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8 pages, 243 KiB  
Review
Instrumentation for Detecting Sulphur Isotopes as Biosignatures on Europa and Ganymede by Forthcoming Missions
by Julian Chela-Flores
Universe 2022, 8(7), 357; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/universe8070357 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1315
Abstract
There has been remarkable progress in identifying a certain type of biosignature, both from the point of view of the payloads of forthcoming missions, and from the point of view of biogeochemistry. This progress has been due to the evolution of miniaturized mass [...] Read more.
There has been remarkable progress in identifying a certain type of biosignature, both from the point of view of the payloads of forthcoming missions, and from the point of view of biogeochemistry. This progress has been due to the evolution of miniaturized mass spectrometry that can be used, under certain circumstances and for certain samples, to distinguish between putatively abiotic and biotic sulphur isotopes. These specific types of biosignatures are discussed in the context of Europa and Ganymede. Such instruments are sufficiently precise to differentiate between abiotic and biotic signatures. We reflect on new possibilities that will be available during this decade for exploring the nearest ocean worlds: Europa and Ganymede. We review arguments that point out the presence of intriguing sulphur patches on Europa’s icy surface that were discovered by the Galileo mission. These patches lead to a “sulphur dilemma”, which suggests not to focus future measurements exclusively on organics. We comment on the possibility of measurements of sulphur isotopes, as one kind of biosignature, to be complemented with additional biosignatures, in order to fully test biogenicity. These suggestions are intended to point out the best use of the available spacecrafts’ payloads during the planning of the forthcoming Jovian missions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Developments and Technology Trends in the Space-Borne Instrumentation)
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