Basic Development of an in-situ Age Measurement System for Planetary Surfaces

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26247092
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Geochemistry/Cosmochemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Sugita Seiji 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 教授 (80313203)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 笠原 慧 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 助教 (00550500) ; 齋藤 義文 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 准教授 (30260011) ; 亀田 真吾 立教大学, 理学部, 准教授 (30455464) ; 三浦 弥生 東京大学, 地震研究所, 助教 (90282730)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): MOROTA TOMOKATSU 名古屋大学, 環境学研究科, 講師 (30415898) ; OKAZAKI RYUJI 九州大学, 理学研究科, 助教 (40372750) ; CHO YUICHIRO 米国航空宇宙局, マーシャル飛行センター (00737687)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 惑星探査 / 年代計測 / アイソクロン法 / K-Ar年代 / 衛星搭載装置開発

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we conducted basic development of K-Ar age measurement system for future Mars lander. We developed time-of-flight mass spectrometer, pulse laser unit including optics, spectrometer unit, laser irradiation unit including rock sample handing system, and operation protocols for the entire system. In particular we conducted a field test in Izu Island with a test rover unit and our K-Ar measurement system. The results of our research strongly suggest that the basic specifications of our K-Ar measurement system can meet the requirements for size, weight, shock, and vibration for a rover that Japanese science community is planning for near-future Mars missions.

Free Research Field

惑星化学