Our innovation significantly improves instrument measurement capabilities for planetary science missions such as Discovery, New Frontiers, Mars Exploration, and other planetary programs. It has potential to become a critical new instrument in NASA's exploration toolbox that can replace already-flown in-situ sensing technologies in future mission opportunities. The following missions highlighted by the Planetary Science Directorate (PSD) will specifically benefit from iSEE: a) landed exploration missions to Venus, Moon, Mars, Europa, Titan, comets, and asteroids; b) sample return missions to Moon, Mars, comets and asteroids. In addition, iSEE may be used to identify and map available planetary in-situ resources, and to spur the development of autonomous in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) devices for robotic and human missions. iSEE will enable in-situ chemical classification and quantitation of complex organic compounds, minerals/ices, and volatiles. Therefore, iSEE will enable measurements responsive to three of the five science objectives of the SMD's PSD, as stated in the NASA Science Plan. Specifically, iSEE will enable all three investigations required to understand the habitability of Europa?s ocean through composition and chemistry, the priority objective of the proposed Europa lander concept, as developed by a NASA-commissioned Science Definition Team
In Phase I we will focus on Europa exploration applications. However, iSEE responds to critical challenges at the scientific/engineering boundaries of highly sensitive in-situ sensing; in particular, the challenges involved of characterizing materials, qualitatively, quantitatively, in real-time, and non-destructively (i.e. without sampling). Thus, iSEE has high potential to impact the following areas with broad social and economic implications: Health and environment monitoring, Forensic analyses, Ocean sensing, Oil & gas exploration and development.
More »