Derek Pullan

X-ray imaging performance of the flight model JET-X telescope

Construction of the flight model joint European X-ray telescope (JET-X) for the Russian spectrum-X mission has been completed and performance tests and calibration of the instrument have been carried out. Separate measurements of the responses of the x-ray mirrors, the CCD detectors and the optical filters already indicate that JET-X will achieve spatial resolutions of around 20 arcsec, an on-axis collecting area of 310 cm2 at 1.5 keV and an energy resolution of 130 eV at 6 keV. As a final step in the calibration of the telescope assembly, end-to-end x-ray tests on the complete instrument have been performed in the x-ray beam line facility at MPE Garching. Results from this calibration program are reported and the overall response of the two x-ray telescopes are compared with the previously measured responses of the mirror, the CCD detectors and the optical filters. In-orbit sensitivity responses are derived from these calibration data sets, for the normal operating modes of JET-X.

Instrumentation on Beagle 2: the astrobiology lander on ESA's 2003 Mars Express mission

The instrumentation on the 60 kg Beagle 2 lander for ESAs 2003 Mars Express mission will be described. Beagle 2 will be search for organic material on and below the surface of Mars in addition to a study of the inorganic chemistry and mineralogy of the landing site. The lander will utilize acquisitions and preparation tools to obtain samples from below the surface, and both under and inside rocks. In situ analysis will include examination of samples with an optical microscope, Mossbauer and fluorescent X-ray spectrometers. Extracted samples will be returned to the lander for analysis, in particular a search for organics and a measurement of their isotopic composition. The experiment configuration and design will be described along with the status of the project.

Performance characteristics of the PAW instrumentation on Beagle 2 (the astrobiology lander on ESA's Mars Express Mission)

The performance of the PAW instrumentation on the 60kg Beagle 2 lander for ESA’s 2003 Mars Express mission will be described. Beagle 2 will search for organic material on and below the surface of Mars in addition to a study of the inorganic chemistry and mineralogy of the landing site. The lander will utilize acquisition and preparation tools to obtain samples from below the surface, and both under and inside rocks. In situ analysis will include examination of samples with an optical microscope, Mossbauer and fluorescent X-ray spectrometers. Extracted samples will be returned to the lander for analysis, in particular a search for organics and a measurement of their isotopic composition. The PAW experiment performance data will be described along with the status of the project.

An evaluation of in situ analysis and sample return in the exploration of Mars

Abstract In this paper, the case for sample return is examined against in situ analysis and the merits of each approach are discussed. In situ analysis techniques are highly advanced with a large number of methods under continuing development. The authors advise some caution with regard to Mars sample return and conclude that in situ analysis provides a powerful tool necessary to document any sample prior to return by providing complementary data and science. Furthermore, in situ analysis should at least be used as insurance in the near future. If isolation of a sample is required for bio-hazard reasons e.g. in space in a facility attached or associated with the International Space Station then instrumentation developed for in situ analysis will be necessary for sample return analysis, as such instrumentation will be “space qualified”. In addition it should be noted that similar in situ instrumentation will be required for manned Mars expeditions.

Prototype imaging x-ray fluorescence spectrometer based on microchannel plate optics

A new form of imaging x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, based on a microchannel plate relay optic and a charge coupled device x-ray detector, produces elemental mapping over an instantaneous field of view of 24 mm square without the need to scan either the sample or x-ray beam. We describe the design of a prototype responsive over the energy range of 370 eV–10 keV, its quantitative calibration, demonstration of 0.7 mm spatial resolution and the spectrometer’s use in the analysis of geological samples.

Identification of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars

The 2003 Beagle 2 Mars lander has been identified in Isidis Planitia at 90.43° E, 11.53° N, close to the predicted target of 90.50° E, 11.53° N. Beagle 2 was an exobiology lander designed to look for isotopic and compositional signs of life on Mars, as part of the European Space Agency Mars Express (MEX) mission. The 2004 recalculation of the original landing ellipse from a 3-sigma major axis from 174 km to 57 km, and the acquisition of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) imagery at 30 cm per pixel across the target region, led to the initial identification of the lander in 2014. Following this, more HiRISE images, giving a total of 15, including red and blue-green colours, were obtained over the area of interest and searched, which allowed sub-pixel imaging using super high-resolution techniques. The size (approx. 1.5 m), distinctive multilobed shape, high reflectivity relative to the local terrain, specular reflections, and location close to the centre of the planned landing ellipse led to the identification of the Beagle 2 lander. The shape of the imaged lander, although to some extent masked by the specular reflections in the various images, is consistent with deployment of the lander lid and then some or all solar panels. Failure to fully deploy the panels—which may have been caused by damage during landing—would have prohibited communication between the lander and MEX and commencement of science operations. This implies that the main part of the entry, descent and landing sequence, the ejection from MEX, atmospheric entry and parachute deployment, and landing worked as planned with perhaps only the final full panel deployment failing.

INSTRUMENTATION FOR GEOLOGICAL FIELD WORK ON THE MOON

Abstract.A human return to the Moon will require that astronauts are well equipped with instrumentation to aid their investigations during geological field work. Two instruments are described in detail. The first is a portable X-ray Spectrometer, which can provide rapid geochemical analyses of rocks and soils, identify lunar resources and aid selection of samples for return to Earth. The second instrument is the Geological and Radiation environment package (GEORAD). This is an instrument package, mounted on a rover, to perform in-situ measurements on the lunar surface. It can be used for bulk geochemical measurements of rocks and soils (particularly identifying KREEP-enriched rocks), prospect for ice in shadowed areas of craters at the poles and characterise the lunar radiation environment.