Premium
Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) calibration target design to allow onboard combined science between the RLS and MicrOmega instruments on the ExoMars rover
Author(s) -
LopezReyes Guillermo,
Pilorget Cedric,
Moral Andoni G.,
Manrique Jose Antonio,
Sanz Aurelio,
Berrocal Alicia,
Veneranda Marco,
Rull Fernando,
Medina Jesús,
Hamm Vincent,
Bibring JeanPierre,
Rodriguez Jose Antonio,
Perez Canora Carlos,
MateoMarti Eva,
PrietoBallesteros Olga,
Lalla Emmanuel,
Vago Jorge L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of raman spectroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.748
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1097-4555
pISSN - 0377-0486
DOI - 10.1002/jrs.5832
Subject(s) - calibration , payload (computing) , spectrometer , remote sensing , mass spectrometry , raman spectroscopy , raman laser , computer science , laser , environmental science , optics , aerospace engineering , geology , physics , engineering , raman scattering , computer network , quantum mechanics , network packet
The ExoMars rover, scheduled to be launched in 2020, will be equipped with a novel and diverse payload. It will also include a drill to collect subsurface samples (from 0‐ to 2‐m depth) and deliver them to the rover analytical laboratory, where it will be possible to perform combined science between instruments. For the first time, the exact same sample target areas will be investigated using complementary analytical methods—infrared spectrometry, Raman spectrometry, and laser desorption mass spectrometry—to establish mineralogical and organic chemistry composition. Fundamental for implementing this cooperative science strategy is the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) calibration target (CT). The RLS CT features a polyethylene terephthalate disk used for RLS calibration and verification of the instrument during the mission. In addition, special patterns have been recorded on the RLS CT disk that the other instruments can detect and employ to determine their relative position. In this manner, the RLS CT ensures the spatial correlation between the three analytical laboratory instruments: MicrOmega, RLS, and MOMA. The RLS CT has been subjected to a series of tests to qualify it for space utilization and to characterize its behavior during the mission. The results from the joint work performed by the RLS and MicrOmega instrument teams confirm the feasibility of the “combined science” approach envisioned for ExoMars rover operations, whose science return is optimized when complementing the RLS and MicrOmega joint analysis with the autonomous RLS operation.