| タイトル | The Mars Phoenix Thermal Evolved-Gas Analysis: The Role of an Organic Free Blank in the Search for Organics |
| 本文（外部サイト） | http://hdl.handle.net/2060/20080013430 |
| 著者（英） | Morris, Richard V.; Ming, Douglas W.; Boynton, W. V.; Sutter, B.; Lauer, H. V., Jr.; Golden, D. C. |
| 著者所属（英） | NASA Johnson Space Center |
| 発行日 | 2008-03-10 |
| 言語 | eng |
| 内容記述 | The Thermal Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) instrument onboard the 2007 Phoenix Lander will perform differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and evolved-gas analysis of soil samples collected from the surface. Data from the instrument will be compared with Mars analog mineral standards, collected under TEGA Mars-like conditions to identify the volatile-bearing mineral phases [1] (e.g., Fe-oxyhydroxides, phyllosilicates, carbonates, and sulfates) found in the Martian soil. Concurrently, the instrument will be looking for indications of organics that might also be present in the soil. Organic molecules are necessary building blocks for life, although their presence in the ice or soil does not indicate life itself. The spacecraft will certainly bring organic contaminants to Mars even though numerous steps were taken to minimize contamination during the spacecraft assembly and testing. It will be essential to distinguish possible Mars organics from terrestrial contamination when TEGA instrument begins analyzing icy soils. To address the above, an Organic Free Blank (OFB) was designed, built, tested, and mounted on the Phoenix spacecraft providing a baseline for distinguishing Mars organics from terrestrial organic contamination. Our objective in this report is to describe some of the considerations used in selecting the OFB material and then report on the processing and analysis of the final candidate material |
| NASA分類 | Lunar and Planetary Science and Exploration |
| 権利 | Copyright, Distribution as joint owner in the copyright |
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