An integrated multi-purpose biology instrument utilizing a single detector, the mass spectrometer.
A mass spectrometer is used to analyze the gas phase in a number of reaction vessels filled with Martian soil. By choosing appropriate incubation conditions this instrument can be used to perform a wide spectrum of experiments ranging from the observation of general indices of life, i.e. processes and patterns unexplainable by physico-chemical mechanisms, to assays utilizing isotopes which probe for specific metabolic processes. Of particular interest is the in situ incubation in which a Martian soil sample is maintained at a constant temperature and its gas phase composition analyzed with time. Properly interpreted, this is a very general life-detection probe which makes minimal assumption as to the nature of Martian biology. Other assays and measurements concerning the soil and the atmosphere compatible with this method are also described.
Radmer
R
R
Research Institute for Advanced Studies, Baltimore, Md, USA.
Kok
B
B
D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D001695:Biology / Q000295:instrumentation; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D018559:Exobiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D018535:Mars; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010777:Photochemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013026:Space Flight / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018531:Spacecraft / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013696:Temperature; D015003:Yeasts / Q000378:metabolism
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012987:Soil; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006859:Hydrogen; D010100:Oxygen