Mass spectrometry and planetary exploration: A brief review and future projection

• Published in: Journal of mass spectrometry. Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. e4454 - n/a
• Main Authors: Arevalo, Ricardo, Ni, Ziqin, Danell, Ryan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.01.2020; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Analyzers; Astrochemistry; Exploration; ion trap; Ionization; Ions; mass analyzer; Mass spectrometers; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; New technology; Orbitrap; quadrupole; Scientific imaging; sector field; Space exploration; Space flight; spaceflight; Spectrometers; spectrometry; Spectroscopy; Subsystems; time‐of‐flight; spaceflight; quadrupole; mass analyzer; sector field; time-of-flight; ion trap; spectrometry; Orbitrap
• ISSN: 1076-5174; 1096-9888
• DOI: 10.1002/jms.4454

Since the inception of mass spectrometry more than a century ago, the field has matured as analytical capabilities have progressed, instrument configurations multiplied, and applications proliferated. Modern systems are able to characterize volatile and nonvolatile sample materials, quantitatively measure abundances of molecular and elemental species with low limits of detection, and determine isotopic compositions with high degrees of precision and accuracy. Consequently, mass spectrometers have a rich history and promising future in planetary exploration. Here, we provide a short review on the development of mass analyzers and supporting subsystems (eg, ionization sources and detector assemblies) that have significant heritage in spaceflight applications, and we introduce a selection of emerging technologies that may enable new and/or augmented mission concepts in the coming decades.