Summary: Sample Analysis at Mars
Suite Investigation
SAM will explore the potential for life on Mars.
Scientific Goals and Objectives
The SAM Quests address three imperatives of Mars
exploration that lead to six science goals:
Carbon Quest. What does the inventory of carbon
compounds near Mars' surface tell us about its potential
habitability?
Goal 1: Identify carbon compounds, their sources, and
their transformational processes.
Goal 2: Focus on detecting molecules that are relevant
to terrestrial life.
Water Quest. What do the water-shaped geochemical
conditions and processes at Mars tell us about its
potential habitability?
Goal 3: Determine chemical states of key light
elements.
Goal 4: Analyze volatiles that trace aqueous and
geological processes.

Source: Atreya, Sushil - Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Science, University of Michigan

Collections: Physics