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DOE OSTI · 1648049

OrganiCam: First Camera for Noncontact Biodetection in Space

Mercer-Smith, Janet Anne
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Abstract

Los Alamos National Laboratory designed a compact laser-induced fluorescence imaging camera with Raman spectrometer to identify organic molecules and biosignatures in environments such as Martian caves, icy-moons, and asteroid surfaces. OrganiCam is the primary instrument on the Laser-Induced Fluorescence Exploration of Caves for Organics and Volatiles using an Elevated Platform (LIFE COVE) NASA mission concept. OrganiCam could also determine if instruments being sent into space for NASA are sterile and analyze samples returned to Earth. OrganiCam’s robust design for extreme environments, portability, simple operation, and low power requirement build on LANL’s 50+ years designing robotic instruments for space applications.

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS

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Mercer-Smith, Janet Anne. 2020-08-12. OrganiCam: First Camera for Noncontact Biodetection in Space. https://doi.org/10.2172/1648049

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