Ion/Liquid Chromatography for Exploration of Solar System (ILCESS) (ILCESS)

Goals and Objectives We propose to develop a spacecraft-based TRL5 system for in-situ measurement of soluble organic and inorganic anions on planetary missions. The system will detect compounds that contain key elements of life (i.e., CHNOPS) or that bear on the habitability potential of a given environment (i.e., salts), in a broad range of planetary materials at levels significantly lower than previously flown instruments. The proposed development leverages a front-end solvent extraction system and a back-end Open Tabular Liquid Ion Chromatograph (OTLIC) system, developed under the PICASSO program. Both subsystems have been tested under critical environmental conditions, making the entry system TRL 4. We will integrate all subsystems into a fully functional prototype that will be tested under relevant space conditions, so the exit TRL is estimated at 5. Methodology Brassboards of the OTLIC and extractor subsystems will be built and tested separately to validate key performance parameters traceable to specific instrument requirements. Next we will define interfaces, integrate both subsystems into a system brassboard, and perform interface tests. We will then conduct end-to-end operational and performance validation tests of the integrated system brassboard both prior and after environmental testing in chambers (thermal/vacuum and shock/vibration), using a combination of laboratory and natural samples relevant to other planetary bodies. Relevance Ion chromatography is the standard laboratory method to separate and detect dissolved organic and inorganic ions in a sample. However, ion chromatography has not been implemented in any planetary mission to date. Our team has developed two key solutions to bridge this technology gap: (1) a solvent extraction system that mixes samples and water to bring soluble ions into an aqueous solution; and (2) an open tubular ion chromatography (OTIC) system where the stationary phase is a coating on the wall of a narrow bore capillary, thereby eliminating the sensitive handling requirements of the separation column and paving the way for a compact, robust flight instrument. We now want to integrate both subsystems into a prototype that will significantly improve the capability of planetary missions to characterize water-soluble compounds, both organic and inorganic, in a broad range of samples, including sediments, rocks, regolith, water and ices. The proposed development directly addresses strategic goals and objectives relevant to the Planetary Science Division by enabling investigations of the chemistry and soluble ion composition of samples collected on the surface and subsurface of Mars and Europa; in ocean materials in the Enceladus plume; or in comets, meteorites, and asteroids.