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Elsaesser A, Burr DJ, Mabey P, Urso RG, Billi D, Cockell C, Cottin H, Kish A, Leys N, van Loon JJWA, Mateo-Marti E, Moissl-Eichinger C, Onofri S, Quinn RC, Rabbow E, Rettberg P, de la Torre Noetzel R, Slenzka K, Ricco AJ, de Vera JP, Westall F. Future space experiment platforms for astrobiology and astrochemistry research. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:43. [PMID: 37308480 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00292-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Space experiments are a technically challenging but a scientifically important part of astrobiology and astrochemistry research. The International Space Station (ISS) is an excellent example of a highly successful and long-lasting research platform for experiments in space, that has provided a wealth of scientific data over the last two decades. However, future space platforms present new opportunities to conduct experiments with the potential to address key topics in astrobiology and astrochemistry. In this perspective, the European Space Agency (ESA) Topical Team Astrobiology and Astrochemistry (with feedback from the wider scientific community) identifies a number of key topics and summarizes the 2021 "ESA SciSpacE Science Community White Paper" for astrobiology and astrochemistry. We highlight recommendations for the development and implementation of future experiments, discuss types of in situ measurements, experimental parameters, exposure scenarios and orbits, and identify knowledge gaps and how to advance scientific utilization of future space-exposure platforms that are either currently under development or in an advanced planning stage. In addition to the ISS, these platforms include CubeSats and SmallSats, as well as larger platforms such as the Lunar Orbital Gateway. We also provide an outlook for in situ experiments on the Moon and Mars, and welcome new possibilities to support the search for exoplanets and potential biosignatures within and beyond our solar system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Elsaesser
- Freie Universitaet Berlin, Department of Physics, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - David J Burr
- Freie Universitaet Berlin, Department of Physics, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Mabey
- Freie Universitaet Berlin, Department of Physics, Arnimallee 14, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Daniela Billi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Charles Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hervé Cottin
- Univ Paris Est Creteil and Université Paris Cité, CNRS, LISA, F-94010, Créteil, France
| | - Adrienne Kish
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), CNRS, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Natalie Leys
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Jack J W A van Loon
- Dutch Experiment Support Center (DESC), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, Amsterdam Bone Center (ABC), Amsterdam UMC Location VU University Medical Center (VUmc) & Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eva Mateo-Marti
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA, Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | - Elke Rabbow
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rosa de la Torre Noetzel
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Departamento de Observación de la Tierra, 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Klaus Slenzka
- KS-3D-3D-Printing and Laser Services, In der Heide 16, 27243, Gross Ippener, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Frances Westall
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Orléans, France
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Changeat Q, Edwards B, Al-Refaie AF, Tsiaras A, Waldmann IP, Tinetti G. Disentangling atmospheric compositions of K2-18 b with next generation facilities. EXPERIMENTAL ASTRONOMY 2021; 53:391-416. [PMID: 35673553 PMCID: PMC9166872 DOI: 10.1007/s10686-021-09794-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent analysis of the planet K2-18 b has shown the presence of water vapour in its atmosphere. While the H2O detection is significant, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFC3 spectrum suggests three possible solutions of very different nature which can equally match the data. The three solutions are a primary cloudy atmosphere with traces of water vapour (cloudy sub-Neptune), a secondary atmosphere with a substantial amount (up to 50% Volume Mixing Ratio) of H2O (icy/water world) and/or an undetectable gas such as N2 (super-Earth). Additionally, the atmospheric pressure and the possible presence of a liquid/solid surface cannot be investigated with currently available observations. In this paper we used the best fit parameters from Tsiaras et al. (Nat. Astron. 3, 1086, 2019) to build James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Ariel simulations of the three scenarios. We have investigated 18 retrieval cases, which encompass the three scenarios and different observational strategies with the two observatories. Retrieval results show that twenty combined transits should be enough for the Ariel mission to disentangle the three scenarios, while JWST would require only two transits if combining NIRISS and NIRSpec data. This makes K2-18 b an ideal target for atmospheric follow-ups by both facilities and highlights the capabilities of the next generation of space-based infrared observatories to provide a complete picture of low mass planets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Changeat
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Billy Edwards
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ahmed F. Al-Refaie
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Angelos Tsiaras
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ingo P. Waldmann
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Giovanna Tinetti
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, UK
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