Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA)
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The MOMA instrument is provided to the ExoMars mission with a European and US teaming collaboration that integrates a Goddard linear ion trap mass spectrometer with a French provided gas chromatograph and a laser provided by Germany. The goal of this highly capable instrument is to detect and identify organic material from below the surface of Mars that is delivered to MOMA by a drill on the rover. This drill can acquire sample from up to 2 meters below the surface. At that depth organic molecules are better protected from destruction by the high energy radiation that penetrates through the thin martian atmosphere. The primary goal of the mission is to search for organic molecules of biotic or prebiotic relevance that may give us clues about possible microbial life on ancient Mars at a time where surface water was abundant.
Key Staff
- Project Scientist: William Brinckerhoff