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Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars

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Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars
OperatorEuropean Space Agency
ManufacturerRussian Space Research Institute
Instrument typenear infrared spectrometer
Functionsurface composition
Mission duration≥ 7 months[1]
WebsiteExoMars Rover Instrument Suite
Properties
Mass1.74 kg
Dimensions16 × 8 × 9.6 cm
Spectral bandnear infrared (NIR)
Data rate100 kbits per measurement
Host spacecraft
SpacecraftRosalind Franklin rover
OperatorEuropean Space Agency

Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars (ISEM) was an infrared spectrometer for remote sensing designed to be part of the science payload on board the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin rover, tasked to search for biosignatures and biomarkers on Mars. ISEM would provide context assessment of the surface mineralogy in the vicinity of the Rosalind Franklin rover for selection of potential astrobiological targets. The Principal Investigator was Oleg Korablev from the Russian Space Research Institute (IKI). The instrument's use on the rover was cancelled, together with other Russian contributions to the project, after Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and it was replaced by the Welsh-built ENFYS.[2][3]

Overview

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ISEM Performance/units[4][5]
Type Infrared spectrometer
Field of view 1.3°
Spectral range near infrared: 1.15 - 3.30 μm
Spectral resolution from: 3.3 nm at 1.15 μm
to: 28 nm at 3.30 μm
Filter acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF)
Detector cooler Peltier cooler
RF power 5 W
RF range 23–82 MHz
Detector InAs photodiode[5]
Data volume 100 kbits per measurement
Max power
consumption		 14 W
Dimensions
(optical module)		 16.0 cm × 8.0 cm × 9.6 cm
Mass 1.74 kg

The Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars (ISEM) was being developed by the Russian Space Research Institute (IKI).[6][7] It would be the first instance of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) observations done from the Mars surface.[4] The instrument would be installed on the Rosalind Franklin rover's mast to measure reflected solar radiation in the near infrared range for context assessment of the surface mineralogy in the vicinity of Rosalind Franklin for selection of potential astrobiological targets.[4][8] As the number of samples obtained with the drill will be limited, the selection of high-value sites for drilling will be crucial. Working with PanCam (a high-resolution panoramic camera), ISEM would aid in the selection of potential targets, especially water-bearing minerals, for close-up investigations and drilling sites.[4] ISEM could detect, if present, organic compounds, including evolving trace gases such as hydrocarbons like methane in the Martian atmosphere.[4]

Objectives

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The stated science objectives of ISEM were: [5]

  • Geological investigation and study a composition of Martian soils in the uppermost few millimeters of the surface.
  • Characterisation of the composition of surface materials, discriminating between various classes of silicates, oxides, hydrated minerals and carbonates.
  • Identification and mapping of the distribution of aqueous alteration products on Mars.
  • Real-time assessment of surface composition in selected areas, in support of identifying and selection of the most promising drilling sites.
  • Studies of variations of the atmospheric dust properties and of the atmospheric gaseous composition.

Development

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ISEM was a derivative of the Lunar Infrared Spectrometer (LIS) being developed by the Russian Space Research Institute (IKI) in Moscow for the planned Luna-25 and Luna-27 Russian landers.[4] Collaborating institutions included: Moscow State University, Main Astrophysical Observatory, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the National Research Institute for Physicotechnical and Radio Engineering Measurements (VNIIFTRI) in Russia, Moscow State University, and the Aberystwyth University in United Kingdom. The science team includes researchers from Russia, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada.[4]

The instrument has been designed to specifically detect carbonates, oxalates, borates, nitrates, NH4-bearing minerals, that are good indicators of past habitable conditions such as aqueous minerals. It was also designed to detect organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and those containing aliphatic C-H molecules.[4] In addition, ISEM could also detect seasonal frost, if present at the landing site, and it could be used to analyse the bore hole excavated by the ExoMars drill, if the rover backs away some distance.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Vago, Jorge L.; et al. (July 2017). "Habitability on Early Mars and the Search for Biosignatures with the ExoMars Rover". Astrobiology. 17 (6–7): 471–510. Bibcode:2017AsBio..17..471V. doi:10.1089/ast.2016.1533. PMC 5685153. PMID 31067287.
  2. ^ Dua, Shubhangi. "Welsh-made Enfys spectrometer will join search for life on Mars". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  3. ^ Cowing, Keith (2025-10-17). "ExoMars Rover ENFYS Infrared Spectrometer Ships". Astrobiology. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars: A Mast-Mounted Instrument for the Rover. (PDF). Oleg I. Korablev, Yurii Dobrolensky, Nadezhda Evdokimova, Anna A. Fedorova, Ruslan O. Kuzmin, Sergei N. Mantsevich, Edward A. Cloutis, John Carter, Francois Poulet, Jessica Flahaut, Andrew Griffiths, Matthew Gunn, Nicole Schmitz, Javier Martin-Torres, Maria-Paz Zorzano, Daniil S. Rodionov, Jorge L. Vago, Alexander V. Stepanov, Andrei Yu. Titov, Nikita A. Vyazovetsky, Alexander Yu. Trokhimovskiy, Alexander G. Sapgir, Yurii K. Kalinnikov, Yurii S. Ivanov, Alexei A. Shapkin, and Andrei Yu. Ivanov. Astrobiology, Volume 17, Number 6 and 7, 2017. doi:10.1089/ast.2016.1543
  5. ^ a b c ISEM (Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars) - Overview Archived 2018-08-20 at the Wayback Machine (PDF). Russian Space Research Institute (IKI).
  6. ^ "Inside ExoMars". European Space Agency. August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  7. ^ "ExoMars 2018 mission". Институт Космических Исследований Space Research Institute. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  8. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (July 24, 2018). "ExoMars: Searching for Life on Mars". Space.com. Retrieved March 13, 2020.

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