ExoMars Raman Laser Spectrometer RLS, a tool for the potential recognition of wet target craters on Mars

TL;DR

This study evaluates the ExoMars Raman Laser Spectrometer's ability to detect mineral signatures indicative of water and impact processes on Mars, using terrestrial analogues and simulated operational conditions.

Contribution

It demonstrates the effectiveness of the RLS ExoMars Simulator in identifying impact-related minerals and water indicators, validating its scientific capabilities for Mars exploration.

Findings

RLS can detect quartz amorphization indicating impact origin

It can identify minerals like barite and siderite linked to hydrothermal activity

Algorithms enable smart molecular mapping for enhanced analysis

Abstract

In the present work, NIR, LIBS, Raman and XRD techniques have been complementarily used to carry out a comprehensive characterization of a terrestrial analogue selected from the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure (CBIS). The obtained data clearly highlight the key role of Raman spectroscopy in the detection of minor and trace compounds, through which inferences about geological processes occurred in the CBIS can be extrapolated. Beside the use of commercial systems, further Raman analyses were performed by the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) ExoMars Simulator. This instrument represents the most reliable tool to effectively predict the scientific capabilities of the ExoMars/Raman system that will be deployed on Mars in 2021. By emulating the analytical procedures and operational restrictions established by the ExoMars mission rover design, it was proved that the RLS ExoMars Simulator is able to detect the amorphization of quartz, which constitutes an analytical clue of the impact origin of craters. On the other hand, the detection of barite and siderite, compounds crystallizing under hydrothermal conditions, helps to indirectly confirm the presence of water in impact targets. Furthermore, the RLS ExoMars Simulator capability of performing smart molecular mappings was also evaluated. According to the obtained results, the algorithms developed for its operation provide a great analytical advantage over most of the automatic analysis systems employed by commercial Raman instruments, encouraging its application for many additional scientific and commercial purposes.