UV-BIOmarker Mapper Raman optical instrument for Venus atmosphere (UV-BIOMAP)

Abstract

Several chemicals which could be relevant for life processes are found in the upper atmosphere of Venus (H2S, OCS, SO2, NH4Cl, NH2COOHN4 and H2O). Moreover, the atmosphere instability and the reason for the high ultraviolet (UV) heterogeneous absorption between 320 and 400 nm in the top cloud layer and mesosphere (~ 40-70 Km) are still disputed phenomena. These scientific points could be further studied by small UV Raman and fluorescence instruments mounted in a small lander platform (< 20 kg) being send to Venus. In this current article we will propose an optical payload mission, which could be useful to give more information on these scientific questions. This study proposes a feasibility analysis for launching a small probe device that includes an emitting laser, a receiving telescope and a detector. The goal of this theoretical mission (UV-BIOmarker Mapper for Venus AtmosPhere or UV-BIOMAP) will be to analyse the laser-emitted and further absorption of UV light in the Venus atmosphere, and to verify the possible presence of biomarkers. The current state of the art of the required technologies to be implemented would allow a more cost-efficient and easy to develop mission, compared with previously completed Venus probes. This article will be focused on the required science and optical payload devices needed for solving these issues. Requirements for mass and power budgets for the optical payload will be analysed to ensure that the mission can be carried out at relatively low cost while still accomplishing the scientific goals of revealing the composition of Venus’s atmosphere in more detail and the reason for the heterogeneous UV absorption in the planet’s top cloud layer and mesosphere.