Hypersensitive Mass Spectrometry System to Search for Extraterrestrial Life

(University of Bern, August 19, 2020)

Researchers at the University of Bern have developed the highly sensitive mass spectrometer ORIGIN, which can provide proof of the smallest amounts of traces of life, for future space missions. Space agencies such as NASA have already expressed interest in testing ORIGIN for future missions and if successful, the instrument could for example be used on missions to the ice moons of Europa (Jupiter) and Enceladus (Saturn). According to Andreas Riedo, one of the project leaders, their novel technology is particularly compelling because “no complicated sample preparation techniques, which could potentially affect the result, are required, [which] was one of the biggest problems on Mars until now.”