V-SWIR spectrometer for in-situ planetary surface studies (UK Space Agency)

Reflectance spectroscopy offers a passive and non-destructive method for probing matter, making it a widely used technique in planetary science. Infrared reflectance spectroscopy enables the mineralogical composition of rocks and soils to be determined remotely, by measuring the characteristic spectral features of different minerals. Infrared reflectance spectroscopy is therefore a valuable technique in planetary science for investigation of landing sites and for the initial analysis of potential science targets which warrant more detailed investigation. Numerous Infrared reflectance spectrometers have been developed in the past several decades, using several different technologies and offering hugely varying performance figures. Most of these instruments were developed to meet very specific objectives but have then been re-used for other missions or applications - often without re-assessing their performance against new objectives. This feasibility study will develop a versatile infrared reflectance spectrometer for future planetary exploration missions. The performance specifications will be driven by the science requirements based on our current knowledge of planetary geology and the latest technologies will be investigated to determine the optimal instrument design. The design will be validated by constructing and testing a concept model.