The Latest in Space Exploration

Recently, I had the opportunity on vacation to tour the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where I learned more about the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s past, current, and future projects. As part of my tour, I learned more about NASA’s ongoing research efforts on Mars, about the Artemis Program, which seeks to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo program, and about the type of spacecraft developed for specific missions.

Outside the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. | Photo Credit: Will Wetzel

Last year, Spectroscopy launched a one-day content series on July 20, the anniversary of the moon landing, titled “Spectroscopy and Space Exploration,” where we spotlighted the current and ongoing research in space exploration, and how spectroscopic instrumentation and techniques are helping NASA, SpaceX, and other government agencies and private companies advance the field (1).

Below, we’ve highlighted some recent studies that involved using spectroscopic instrumentation and techniques to uncover more information about outer space. Happy reading!

Using Raman Spectroscopy to Detect Life on Mars

This article discusses a study published in Icarus by scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China, highlighting the importance of optimizing laser power settings in Raman spectroscopy for detecting bioorganic molecules on Mars. The study found that different laser power levels significantly affect the detection of lipids and amino acids, key indicators of potential life (2). High-powered lasers can damage lipids, while low-powered lasers produce weak signals for amino acids (2). The researchers compiled a laser power-based spectral library to improve future Mars missions' ability to identify bioorganic molecules, enhancing our understanding of life’s potential on the Red Planet (2).

How NASA’s Perseverance Rover is Using Spectroscopy to Uncover the Secrets of Mars

One of NASA’s current ongoing projects is conducting tests on the surface of Mars using various probes and rovers. One of those rovers is called Perseverance, and it happens to use spectroscopic techniques like laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy to conduct its analysis. This article discusses the Perseverance rover, as well as its current research endeavors (3).

A New Methodology for Identifying and Classifying Space Debris

This article discusses a recent study published in Scientific Reports that explores the use of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) to classify objects in increasingly congested outer space. Led by Massimiliano Vasile at the University of Strathclyde, the research focuses on analyzing hyperspectral signatures to determine the material composition of space objects (4). The study utilizes machine learning and least-squares matching with known spectra to classify these objects, addressing challenges like material weathering and library gaps (4). The research highlights the potential of HSI for improving space object identification, while also emphasizing the need for expanded material libraries and further validation (4).

New Fiber-Dispersive Raman Spectrometer Breaks Ground in Spaceborne Biomarker Detection

Researchers from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have created an advanced fiber-dispersive Raman spectrometer (FDRS) that can detect low-density biological matter in space. This new device uses a single-photon detector and a dispersive optical fiber element, marking a significant improvement in in-situ Raman spectroscopy with enhanced sensitivity and reliability for finding extraterrestrial life (5).

References

(1) Wetzel, W.; Workman, Jr., J. Spectroscopy Magazine Commemorates the 54th Anniversary of the First Moon Walk. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/spectroscopy-magazine-commemorates-the-54th-anniversary-of-the-first-moon-walk (accessed 2024-08-22).

(2) Wetzel, W. Using Raman Spectroscopy to Detect Life on Mars. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/using-raman-spectroscopy-to-detect-life-on-mars (accessed 2024-08-22).

(3) Wetzel, W. How NASA’s Perseverance Rover is Using Spectroscopy to Uncover the Secrets of Mars. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/how-nasa-s-perseverance-rover-is-using-spectroscopy-to-uncover-the-secrets-of-mars (accessed 2024-08-22).

(4) Wetzel, W. A New Methodology for Identifying and Classifying Space Debris. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/a-new-methodology-for-identifying-and-classifying-space-debris (accessed 2024-08-22).

(5) Workman, Jr., J. New Fiber-Dispersive Raman Spectrometer Breaks Ground in Spaceborne Biomarker Detection. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-fiber-dispersive-raman-spectrometer-breaks-ground-in-spaceborne-biomarker-detection (accessed 2024-08-22).