The project µ-SAND (µthermogravimeter-in Situ dust ANalyser and particles size Discriminator) focuses on the study and development an innovative, small and lightweight device based on a new concept of Piezoelectric Crystal Microbalance (PCM) for the analysis of volatile content, the detection and discrimination of dust grain size in different planetary environments.

This sensor can be used for missions to asteroids and comets to determine the abundance of volatiles and organics in order to understand the chemical processes that occur in the coma of comets, but also, for example, on Mars and the Moon, to make direct measurements of the distribution and discrimination of dust grain size. 

The study of dust and volatiles in different environments of the Solar System will help to better understand the origins and evolution of our System. Asteroids and comets may have been the source of volatiles (water and organic compounds) present in the atmosphere and oceans. Furthermore, the complete characterisation of the lunar environment is essential to ensure the safety of astronauts on future missions, to understand the resources available on site and what processes regulate the formation/destruction of lunar volatiles.

µ-SAND includes two sensing units: 1) S1 sensor system, for the dust grain size discrimination (< 100 µm); 2) S2 sensor system, based on piezoelectric crystals equipped with an integrated heater to performed controlled Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) for measuring water and organic content in the dust.