Impossible Sensing LLC — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: S4

Description

<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in">We propose to build and critically test key subsystems of Life Analysis, Capture, and Retention on an Orbiting Saturn Spacecraft (LACROSS), an ultra-compact plume sample collection and analysis. LACROSS will&nbsp;conduct these analysis <em>in-situ</em>, directly on icy samples collected from the plume&nbsp;during fly-throughs.&nbsp;Thus, LACROSS addresses five of the six Technologies solicited by subtopic&nbsp;S4.06.</p><p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in">LACROSS&rsquo; sample collection &amp; management system utilizes an innovative architecture to a) collect particles using an angled-wall collector an b) analyze them <em>in-situ</em>, without the need for sample processing and concentrating. The collector funnels ice particles into&nbsp;plasmonic aerogel (Stardust heritage), where particles bury&nbsp;and slow down to a stop. The plasmonic aerogel enables ultra-sensitive (1 nM) SERS&nbsp;measurements of all particles that intersects the&nbsp;focus plane.</p><p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in">LACROSS&rsquo; innovative approach to sample capture and analysis enables unprecedented in-flight sample collection and measurements of material freshly injected into space: <em>in-situ</em> chemical identification and quantitation of complex organic compounds, including pre-biotic compounds (<em>e.g.</em>, amino acids); biomolecules (organic biomarkers such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid polymers); minerals; salts; volatiles.</p><p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in">LACROSS will be a substantial technological leap with respect to existing or proposed sampling and/or analysis systems of Enceladus plume in the following key aspects: (1) it utilizes an innovative architecture to capture and transfer ice particles from plumes directly to a sensor that requires no moving parts, actuators, sample handling; (2) the multiplex integral-field SERS imaging approach features augmented science returns and reduced technical complexity relative to existing and proposed planetary Raman spectrometers; (3) LACROSS minimizes the resources and complexity required to capture and concentrate a sample <em>and</em> perform key investigations required to understand the habitability of Enceladus.</p>