Planetary Simulation chamber for planetary low density atmospheres and surfaces

Provided by: Astrobiology Center (CAB); INTA

Homepage:

         

Scientific Contact:

Felipe Gómez Gómez, Extremophiles Laboratory, Email:
and
Eva Mateo Martí, Simulation Planetary Atmospheres Laboratory, Email:
Carretera de Ajalvir,
Km 4 Torrejón de Ardoz
Madrid, Spain

Phone 00 34 91 520 6461 Fax 00 34 91 520 1074

Local administrative contact (once a TNA visit is awarded):

Mari Paz Blanco
Coordinación y Planes INTA
Email:

Phone 00 34 91 520 1690 Fax 00 34 91 520 1612

 

Facility Description

Data obtained from the experimental facility

  • IR spectra at planetary conditions
  • Chemical composition of the environment by mass spectroscopy
  • UV spectra at planetary conditions
  • Stability of planetary materials under:
    • T and P
    • Radiation (UV, e-, Ar+…)
  • Radiation tolerance of microorganisms
  • Determination of exogenous processes

Summary of the technical specifications:

  • Total pressure range from 5 mbar to 5x10-9 mbar. Partial pressure of the gasses can be set with this precision.
  • Temperature range from 4K to 325K
  • Gas composition is regulated via a residual gas analyzer with ca ppm precision
  • Sample size range from 5 to 35mm
  • Available irradiation sources: up to 5 KV-ions (ions) 5 KV-electrons and Deuterium UV lamp.
  • Analysis techniques: UV spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy

Facility Applications

 
 
  

Facility References

Selected relevant publications

A chamber for studying planetary environments and its applications to astrobiology
E. Mateo-Martí, O. Prieto-Ballesteros, J. M. Sobrado J. Gómez-Elvira and J. A. Martín-Gago
Measurement and Science Technology 17 (2006) 2274-280.

Near-UV transmittance of basalt dust as an analog of the Martian regolith: implications for sensor calibration and astrobiology
G. M. Muñoz Caro, E. Mateo-Martí and J. Martínez-Frías
Sensors 6 (2006) 688-696

UV-Photostability of Adenine on gold and silicon surfaces
E. Mateo-Martí, C.M. Pradier, J. A. Martín-Gago
Astrobiology 9 (2009) 573 - 579

The stability of liquid saline water on present day Mars
M.P. Zorzano, E. Mateo-Marti, O. Prieto-Ballesteros, S. Osuna, and N. Renno
Geophys. Res. Lett. 36 (2009) L20201.

For information on the Europlanet TNA programme contact:

Professor N J Mason, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Open University, Walton Hall. Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
Email (preferred method of contact)

 

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Last updated:26 March 2010