In‐situ analysis of planetary surfaces by Mössbauer spectroscopy

Abstract

Iron is one of the key elements in the evolution of the solar system and is highly abundant in terrestrial planets. Its oxidation state reflects the history of the oxidation–reduction reactions on planetary surfaces. The identification of iron mineralogies and the relative abundance of iron oxidation states (2+ and 3+) will contribute to a much deeper understanding of the evolution of planetary bodies and their surfaces. Miniaturized Mössbauer spectrometers are under development primarily for missions to the planet Mars and the Moon, but there is also an interest on using such an instrument for space missions to the planet Venus, comets and asteroids. The instrument MIMOS II developed at TU Darmstadt meets the requirements for space application as low mass (about 500 g), small volume, and low power consumption (about 1 W). The instrument has been tested extensively in the laboratory but also recently in the field mounted on the robotic arm of a prototype Martian Rover under development at JPL/NASA, United States.