"If you werent prepared to the thing that fly in to jupiter this morning, how can you be sure this is not gonna happen to us?"
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Space Environment Viability of Organics (SEVO): Laboratory Studies and Interpretation of the Organisms/Organics Exposure to Orbital Stresses (O/OREOS) Nanosatellite Mission Results
PI: Andrew Mattioda
NASA’s Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses, or O/OREOS, is the first nanosatellite dedicated to Astrobiology. The overall goal of the O/OREOS mission is to demonstrate the capability to do low-cost science experiments on autonomous nanosatellites in support of the Astrobiology Small Payloads program. One experiment aboard O/OREOS, known as Space Environment Viability of Organics (SEVO), monitors the stability of the chemical building blocks and molecular signatures of life in our solar system and beyond. Four astrobiolobically relevant organic molecules (a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, a quinone, iron porphyrin and an amino acid) are housed in four local 'microenvironments’ on the satellite, mimicking interplanetary space, airless bodies (lunar, pre-solar nebulae), and Martian (dry and wet) conditions. An in-situ spectrometer will record daily changes in ultraviolet and visible light absorption spectra of these compounds, revealing the consequences of their exposure to solar UV, visible light, and ionizing space radiation.
Here we propose to conduct ground control experiments to aid in the understanding and interpretation of the data received from the in-situ SEVO experiments. The ground-based investigation will be carried out using two additional sample carousels and samples produced in conjunction with the flight samples. Likewise, additional laboratory experiments are needed to understand the chemistry occurring inside the microenvironments. The laboratory experiments will involve measuring the UV-visible spectra of unexposed control samples as well as samples exposed to a variety of ionizing conditions. Matrix isolation combined with infrared spectroscopy will be performed on the molecules of interest to aid in understanding the chemical reactions and pathways occurring in the microenvironments aboard O/OREOS. Additional analytical techniques, such as GC-mass spectroscopy (MS) and LC-MS, will be utilized to help determine the composition and chemical structures of the modified compounds.
These ground control experiments will enable us to understand the chemical reactions occurring in the samples carried on the O/OREOS satellite. The four microenvironments cover the formation of complex organic molecules in space as well as their formation and modification on planetary surfaces, relating directly to the planetary conditions necessary for life. By investigating these pre-biotic molecular processes, we will begin to understand the physical and chemical pathways necessary for the origins of life.
May 16, 2012
