In-Situ Geologic Analyzer for Lunar and Martian Surfaces

Abstract

The miniature instrument with a triple measurement system, works as a robotic field geologist on remote planetary surfaces such as Mars or the Moon. This Mineral Identification and Composition Analyzer (MICA), employs XRF, XRD, and visual imaging for in-situ nondestructive determination of mineralogy and elemental composition of rock or regolith samples. Its key feature is characterizing geological materials without destroying, damaging, or removing the sample from its in-situ location. MICA addresses two key issues: 1) Mars geology/astrobiology relating to physical and chemical evidence of water and its processes and 2) lunar in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). A 1.5 kg MICA prototype was developed and built under NASA MIDP (Mars Instrument Development Project) and demonstrated with calibration samples and natural rocks on the NASA Ames K-9 test rover robotic arm. MICA serves as a reconnaissance sensor, providing rapid, 10–30 minute analyses for making decisions about further analysis, sample collection, or sample return from a planetary surface.