Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry at Saturn’s moon Titan

Abstract

NASA's Dragonfly mission will send a rotorcraft lander to the surface of Titan to investigate the prebiotic chemistry, habitability, and potential presence of chemical biosignatures on Saturn’s largest moon. One of the key analytical instruments onboard is the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS) that will perform detailed chemical analyses of the Titan surface and atmosphere. The DraMS instrument is capable of multiple analytical modalities, including Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry (LDMS), in which DraMS primarily seeks to characterize the low volatility/refractory organic content in acquired Titan surface samples. Several key design adaptations will be needed for DraMS to meet its LDMS measurement objectives at Titan as compared to previous development efforts for similar analysis at Mars. These adaptations include an altered sample collection and delivery approach, modifications to the LDMS ion source, and performance optimization for operations with Titan atmospheric gas.