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Life in Space - OPPS Origin, Presence, Persistence of life in Space
Life in Space - OPPS Origin, Presence, Persistence of life in Space
The aim of this project is to networking the best skills in Italy, to carry out a wide-ranging research, with a common goal.
Our group is studying in the laboratory the interactions of organic molecules with mineral surfaces, simulating the physical-chemical processes that can lead to the degradation of the organic component or to their protection, providing the necessary inputs for the development of extraction and analysis models through new scientific payload concepts for space applications.
Development of lab-on-chip technology
Development of lab-on-chip technology
The project aims to launch the AstroBio-CubeSat (ABCS), a 3U cubesat hosting mini laboratory payload based on innovative lab-on chip technology suitable for research in the life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical technologies sectors. The objective of the project is to test in space environments an automatic laboratory based on lab-on-chip technology, able to provide a highly integrated in-situ multiparameter platform that uses immunoassay tests exploiting chemiluminescence detection.
In-orbit validation of the proposed technology would represent a significant breakthrough for autonomous execution of bio-analytical experiments in space with potential application in planetary exploration for biomarkers detection, astronauts’ healthcare, space stations’ environmental monitoring and more.
ABCS was succesfully delivered in orbit by the first lauch of Vega-C on 13 July 2022 from the european spaceport in Kourou, French Guyana. See the video
PAHs and Origin of life
PAHs and Origin of life
In the study of origin of life, the understanding of chemical process that could have developed in Early Earth environment are fundamental. Our laboratory is collaborating with the Department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University (Netherlands) to investigate the evolution of irradiated PAHs adsorbed to various mineral substrates. Laboratory simulation chambers allow us to gain insight into the nature of organic carbon chemistry on various rocky bodies in our Solar System. This data can be used alongside astronomical data to better understand their nature and help guide the instrumentation choices on space missions to places like Early Earth, Mars, asteroids & comets.
PLANETOLOGY
PLANETOLOGY
ESA - ExoMars 2028 mission
ESA - ExoMars 2028 mission
Arcetri Astrobiology Laboratory activities on Mars primarily support the scientific investigations and technology development of the Mars Organics Molecule Analyser (MOMA) instrument on board ESA ExoMars 2028 space mission, devoted to detection of a wide range of organic molecules, operating in two modes, i.e. laser desorption ionization- and gas chromatography- mass spectrometry.
The mission is actually in assembly phase and it will be launch in 2028
NASA - Mars2020 "Perseverance"
NASA - Mars2020 "Perseverance"
Mars2020 Perseverance is the last rover deployed by NASA on the surface of the Red Planet in the beginning of 2021. The rover mission aimed to seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for possible return to Earth.
Our laboratory is involved in the preparation of analog samples of the red planet surface to improve our interpretation on data collected by rover's intruments.
NASA - Mars Science Laboratory "Curiosity"
NASA - Mars Science Laboratory "Curiosity"
Laboratory team is also involved in the NASA Mars Science Laboratory's (MSL) Curiosity rover. In particular our activities support the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on board the rover, which is a suite of three instruments, including a mass spectrometer, gas chromatograph, and tuneable laser spectrometer.
The rover landed on Mars in 2012 and it is currently operating.
ESA Bepicolombo mission
ESA Bepicolombo mission
Our laboratory team members are planning a series of measurements to support the Bepicolombo mission and infrared remote sensing observations. The lab is collaborating with Science Team member of Bebicolombo mission for preparatory analysis of Mercury surface.
The spacecraft is currently traveling to Mercury.
SMALL BODIES
SMALL BODIES
MMX mission
MMX mission
Martian Moon eXploration is a JAXA sample return mission aimed to explore Phobos and Deimos the two moon of Mars and return a surface sample from the surface of the moons.
MMX InfraRed Spectrometer (MIRS) is an imaging spectrometer build by LESIA - Observatorie de Paris for the mission and it will be tasked with identifying minerals on the surface of Phobos and Deimos from their spectral signature helping in the goal of unraveling whether the moons' origin is due to the capture of two super-primitive asteroids or a planetroid collision with Mars.
Our laboratory is involved in the development of the instrument, Phobos analog laboratory support and and in the definition of a database that will be fundamental for the interpretation of the data acquired by MIRS.
AIDA mission
AIDA mission
DART-LICIACube & Hera spacecraft
DART-LICIACube & Hera spacecraft
DART was a NASA planetary defence-driven test of technologies for preventing an impact of Earth by a hazardous asteroid. The main spacecraft impacted the Dimorphos, the small companion of the binary asteroid Didymos to change its period of revolution. DART hosted a cubesat provided by ASI to image the impact and the dust plume.
As a follow-up of the DART test the ESA mission Hera will explore the system to investigate the effect of the impact and to increase our knowledge on binary asteroid.
Our laboratory is involved in both DART-LICIACube and Hera space missions. Laboratory activities support remote sensing and ground observation of the mission target asteroid binary system Dydimos with laboratory activities. We are part of the science team of both the missions with the aim of investigating the nature of the asteorid.
OSIRIS-REx mission
OSIRIS-REx mission
The OSIRIS-REx is a NASA asteroid study and sample-return mission. Launched on 8 September 2016, its mission is to study asteroid 101955 Bennu, a carbonaceous asteroid, and return a sample to Earth on 24 September 2023 for detailed analysis. The material returned is expected to enable scientists to learn more about the formation and evolution of the Solar System, its initial stages of planet formation, and the source of organic compounds that led to the formation of life on Earth.
The payload of the spacecraft carries a suite of instruments that will study the asteroid in many wavelengths, as well as image the asteroid, and retrieve a physical sample to return to Earth. During the three years orbiting the asteroids OSIRIS-REx will perform a lot of analysis and observations in order to improve our knowledge on asteroids and to choose the proper site for the sample collection. From organics and mineralogical point of view the most important instruments for remote sensing are the two spectrometer OTES and OVIRS. Data collected from these instruments are fundamental to understand the morphology and composition of the regolith on the surface of the asteroids.
ICY MOONS
ICY MOONS
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES and MODELLING
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES and MODELLING
Simulating icy worlds like Enceladus and Europa is part of the new frontiers of planetary exploration. Our instrument facility could simulate, trough cryogenic experiment, the environment of various icy moons. Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy can support ocean world exploration both from remote sensing and in-situ observation. Study of survival of biomolecules in icy surfaces with heavy bombardment by UV and cosmic ray will help future missions in the search for organic compound and possibly biomarker of extraterrestrial life.
NASA Europa Clipper mission
NASA Europa Clipper mission
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft will conduct a detailed survey of Jupiter's moon Europa to determine whether the icy moon could harbour conditions suitable for life. The spacecraft, in orbit around Jupiter, will make about 45 close passes over Europa, shifting its flight path for each flyby to soar over a different location so that it eventually scans nearly the entire moon.
After each flyby, the spacecraft will send its haul of data back to Earth. The time between flybys will also give scientists time to study the data and consider adjusting the timing and trajectory of future flybys if they find regions that spark curiosity and need more study.
Next to the orbiter mission NASA is developing Europa Lander, a concept for a potential future mission that would look for signs of life in the icy surface material of Jupiter's moon Europa.
PLANETARY FORMATION
PLANETARY FORMATION
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
LABORATORY ACTIVITIES
Our laboratory collaborates with observational team in order to understand the physical process ongoing in protoplanetary and planetary formation phase observed in the Universe. Infrared technique and ultra-high vacuum spectroscopy are combined to investigate in depth the formation of earth-like planets and complex biomelocules.
In laboratory through the preparation of analogue samples, we can simulate different physical processes and space environments, from interstellar grains to planetary surfaces. We can also study in controlled environment the interactions between prebiotic molecules, building blocks of life, and space relevant minerals in simultated space conditions such as UV irradiation and high vacuum regime. To understand what may occur at the molecules and grains in star forming regions and disks, we use techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy and Temperature Programmed Desorption analysis.
MOON SCIENCE
MOON SCIENCE
ESA PROSPECT mission
ESA PROSPECT mission
The Package for Resource Observation and in-Situ Prospecting for Exploration, Commercial exploitation and Transportation (PROSPECT) is a payload developed by ESA for application at the lunar surface as part of international lunar exploration missions. Establishing the utilization potential of resources found in-situ on the Moon may be key to enabling sustainable exploration and lunar habitability in the future. The purpose of PROSPECT is to support the identification of potential resources, to assess the utilization potential of those resources at a given location and to provide information to help establish their broader distribution. PROSPECT will also perform investigations into resource extraction methodologies that maybe applied at larger scales in the future and provide data with important implications for fundamental scientific investigations on the Moon.
PROSPECT's drill (ProSEED) will drill beneath the surface in the South Pole region of the Moon and extract samples, expected to contain water ice and other chemicals that can become trapped at the extremely low temperatures expected; typically -150 °C beneath the surface to lower than -200 °C in some areas. Samples taken by the drill will then be passed to a chemical laboratory (ProSPA) where they will be heated to extract these cold-trapped volatiles. Thermochemical processes, at temperatures of up to 1000 °C, can then be used to further extract chemical species, including oxygen. This will test processes that could be applied for resource extraction in the future.
Our group is involved in the analysis of sample extracted by the ProSEED drill, investigating physico-chemical properties of volatiles and water in lunar samples.
PLANETARY PROTECTION
PLANETARY PROTECTION
Laboratory activities and protocols development
Laboratory activities and protocols development
Planetary protection is the name of all the activities and protocols operated in a space mission in order to prevent forward contamination of astrobiology relevant target (Mars, Europa, Enceladus…) and backward contamination of Earth with possible extraterrestrial life during sample return mission. Main procedures and topics are:
Sterilization and cleaning of instruments on-board mission to sensible target
Design of sample return curation facility for analysis and management of extraterrestrial material
Development of protocols, procedures and methods
ExoMars space missions
ExoMars space missions
The team performed cleaning procedures for two instrument on-board both ExoMars missions. The activity focused in development of white chamber and cleanness analysis for assembling and testing phase of the instruments. The two instruments are:
DREAMS (ExoMars 2016) Dust Characterisation, Risk Assessment, and Environment Analyser on the Martian Surface
MicroMED (ExoMars 2020) Atmospheric dust sensor part of the payload Dust
European Curation of Astromaterials Returned from Exploration of Space
European Curation of Astromaterials Returned from Exploration of Space
Team members were involved in EURO-CARES, a three years multinational and multidisciplinary project focused on development and design an European sample curation facility in Horizon2020 research program. Every side of building an european facility were taken in account from the plan for the building up to the protocols for transportation of the samples.
Website: www.euro-cares.eu
Planetary Protection of Outer Solar System
Planetary Protection of Outer Solar System
Our laboratory is involved in PPOSS, a platform and forum where European actors involved in planetary protection can discuss and produce policy recommendations on the matter of planetary protection.
The project tackles the science, technology and policy making components related to biological and organic contamination of outer solar system bodies, in particular icy moons. Intensive three year programme combines science, industry and policy actors to nurture and catalyse discussions and exchange of knowledge.
Website: http://pposs.org/
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