Melissa M. Battler

A temperature-controlled sample stage for in situ micro-X-ray diffraction: Application to Mars analog mirabilite-bearing perennial cold spring precipitate mineralogy

Abstract A temperature-controlled sample stage with an operational range of ~60 °C above or below ambient laboratory temperature (~ -35 to 85 °C) was constructed for in situ X-ray diffraction of minerals and materials using a Bruker D8 Discover diffractometer with θ-θ geometry. The stage was primarily designed for characterizing mirabilite-bearing samples from a Mars analog High Arctic perennial cold spring at an in situ temperature. Operation of the stage was demonstrated through the analysis of a synthetic sample of the hydrated sodium sulfate, mirabilite (Na2SO4·10H2O). Mirabilite was held at -25 °C for approximately two hours without significant dehydration and then incrementally warmed to ambient laboratory temperature at 5 °C intervals, during the acquisition of in situ diffraction data. At ambient laboratory temperature, the mirabilite dehydrated and only polycrystalline thenardite (Na2SO4) remained. Preliminary analysis of the cold spring precipitates demonstrates that when mirabilite is present in the sample the dehydration reaction is occurring between collection and analysis at ambient laboratory temperature. This temperature-controlled stage was designed for versatility and ease of X-ray access, with applications that can extend to many geological and planetary settings, including Mars analog environments.

Expedition Mars: A Mars Analogue Program Dedicated to Advancing Competency in Human Planetary Surface Exploration

Mars analogue research facilities are excellent tools for advancing comparative planetology scientific research and exploration methodologies, as well as for investigating and devising countermeasures for the challenges astronauts may encounter while exploring the Martian surface. Analogue studies, and more specifically human mission simulations, also play an important role by training the future leaders in space exploration. With this in mind, the Mars Society of Canada (MSC) established the Expedition Mars program to advance the competence (knowledge, expertise and leadership) needed for human exploration of Mars. The program is divided into two distinct, but complementary, Mars analogue expedition series: Expedition Mars Analogue Training Series (ExMATS) and Expedition Mars Analogue Research Series (ExMARS). The ExMATS missions are designed to train and certify researchers, engineers and commanding officers for ExMARS missions which are dedicated to conducting extended Mars analogue research missions for maximum return on scientific research. Through the two series, Expedition Mars has established a systematic and sustainable method of developing and transferring competence within the program, and to the space community.