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Laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS) has been proposed for in situ characterization of molecular species in planetary surface exploration, and three laser Raman spectrometers are included in the science payloads of two under-development missions to Mars (ESA-ExoMars2018 and NASA-Mars2020). We report the first rover test of a laser Raman spectrometer developed for flight, the Mars Micro-beam Raman Spectrometer (MMRS) in the Atacama Desert (Chile). The MMRS was integrated on the Zoë rover and analyzed subsurface samples brought up by a 1 m drill and delivered by a carousel. The MMRS demonstrated robust performance over 50-km traverse on rugged terrains. From MMRS data, igneous minerals, carbonates, sulfates and carbonaceous materials were unambiguously identified. Quantified distributions of major minerals and carbonaceous materials are extracted from MMRS results, which can be used to imply the regional geological evolution, and potential bioactivities. MMRS in the field performed as well as an LRS laboratory instrument when MMRS was focused satisfactorily. The discovery of stable γ-anhydrite, in large quantity (20% in a sample), in the Atacama soils raises an important question of its stability in the field in a natural environment that is worth further laboratory experimental investigation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As planetary rovers expand their capabilities, traveling longer distances, deploying complex tools, and collecting voluminous scientific data, the requirements for intelligent guidance and control also grow. This, coupled with limited bandwidth and latencies, motivates on-board autonomy that ensures the quality of the science data return. Increasing quality of the data requires better sample selection, data validation, and data reduction. Robotic studies in Mars-like desert terrain have advanced autonomy for long-distance exploration and seeded technologies for planetary rover missions. In these field experiments the remote science team uses a novel control strategy that intersperses preplanned activities with autonomous decision making. The robot performs automatic data collection, interpretation, and response at multiple spatial scales. Specific capabilities include instrument calibration, visual targeting of selected features, an on-board database of collected data, and a long-range path planner that guides the robot using analysis of current surface and prior satellite data. Field experiments in the Atacama Desert of Chile over the past decade demonstrate these capabilities and illustrate current challenges and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the umbrella of the European Space Agency (ESA) StarTiger program, a rapid prototyping study called Seeker was initiated. A range of partners from space and nonspace sectors were brought together to develop a prototype Mars rover system capable of autonomously exploring several kilometers of highly representative Mars terrain over a three-day period. This paper reports on our approach and the final field trials that took place in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Long-range navigation and the associated remote rover field trials are a new departure for ESA, and this activity therefore represents a novel initiative in this area. The primary focus was to determine if current computer vision and artificial intelligence based software could enable such a capability on Mars, given the current limit of around 200 m per Martian day. The paper does not seek to introduce new theoretical techniques or compare various approaches, but it offers a unique perspective on their behavior in a highly representative environment. The final system autonomously navigated 5.05 km in highly representative terrain during one day. This work is part of a wider effort to achieve a step change in autonomous capability for future Mars/lunar exploration rover platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The restrictions imposed by instrumentation and some methodological constraints make that only volatile organic compounds have been analyzed by in situ instruments in planetary exploration. It has been argued that polycarboxilic acids like the hexacarboxylic acid (mellitic acid) can be produced and accumulated in the martian regolith from the oxidation of meteoritic organic matter. However, these compounds are non-volatile and instruments designed for the analysis of volatile compounds would not detect them. Herein we report the production of an antibody to mellitic acid and the development of a fluorescent inhibition microarray immunoassay (IMI) to detect this substance to a limit of 5ppb (ngmL−1). We used the anti-mellitic antibody to detect mellitic acid in drill core samples obtained from different depths in the Atacama desert (Chile), a highly relevant terrestrial analogue for Mars. The presence of mellitic acid was corroborated by organic extraction and GC/MS analysis. Our results showed a smooth gradient of mellitic acid concentration, being higher at the surface and near the surface (1.17–1.57ppm) and diminishing with depth to be undetectable at a depth of 4m. Our immunoassay can be easily implemented in instruments for in situ analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]