LACROSS: Life Analysis, Capture, and Retention on an Orbiting Saturn Spacecraft

We propose to build and critically test key subsystems of Life Analysis, Capture, and Retention on an Orbiting Saturn Spacecraft (LACROSS), an ultra-compact plume sample collection and analysis. LACROSS will conduct these analysis in-situ, directly on icy samples collected from the plume during fly-throughs. Thus, LACROSS addresses five of the six Technologies solicited by subtopic S4.06.LACROSS’ sample collection & management system utilizes an innovative architecture to a) collect particles using an angled-wall collector an b) analyze them in-situ, without the need for sample processing and concentrating. The collector funnels ice particles into plasmonic aerogel (Stardust heritage), where particles bury and slow down to a stop. The plasmonic aerogel enables ultra-sensitive (1 nM) SERS measurements of all particles that intersects the focus plane.LACROSS’ innovative approach to sample capture and analysis enables unprecedented in-flight sample collection and measurements of material freshly injected into space: in-situ chemical identification and quantitation of complex organic compounds, including pre-biotic compounds (e.g., amino acids); biomolecules (organic biomarkers such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid polymers); minerals; salts; volatiles.LACROSS will be a substantial technological leap with respect to existing or proposed sampling and/or analysis systems of Enceladus plume in the following key aspects: (1) it utilizes an innovative architecture to capture and transfer ice particles from plumes directly to a sensor that requires no moving parts, actuators, sample handling; (2) the multiplex integral-field SERS imaging approach features augmented science returns and reduced technical complexity relative to existing and proposed planetary Raman spectrometers; (3) LACROSS minimizes the resources and complexity required to capture and concentrate a sample and perform key investigations required to understand the habitability of Enceladus.