The project IN TIME did achieve all the objective stated in the Grant Agreement and in some area the results were widely over the expected outcome. In fact in the frame of project execution, despite the impact of COVID-19 pandemic,
a) Have been analysed and simulated the scientific and operational context of the instrument on a Martian environment as opposed to an Earth science framework providing scientific, technical and operational requirements. Scientific and mission requirements has been reviewed in order to derive specific technical requirements applicable to the Luminescence dating Instrument. These requirements were the baseline for the design of the Luminescence instrument prototype.
b) The Analysis of the Martian environment has been carried out in terms of , geology, mineralogy, climate evolution and radiation environment. An overall description of the surface composition of Mars using the available data has been carried out and a GIS-based archive has been developed and used to define areas where luminescence can be applied. Case studies have been characterised in Arabia Terra and detailed geological maps have been developed. Furthermore, a discussion of the current knowledge of the composition of the Mars surface and sub-surface has been carried out. A deep analysis of the Mars radiation environment and main simulation tools available at NASA and ESA has been carried out to determine the expected radiation level of the exposed minerals on Mars Surface.
c) Have been carried out a number of field campaign on a Mars analogue terrain to provide the set of samples required to test the scientific instrument. The activity involved the analysis, selection and execution of field campaigns for sample collection of suitable analogues terrains for instrument verification and validation. For the field campaign has been executed the study of the Martian analogue about mineralogy, geology, and climatic characteristics in the selected zone (Lanzarote) to identify the best samples areas. Samples have been collected from different geomorphological environments and analysed for luminescence, and, in some case compared with C14 technique.
d) Has been carried out the analysis, design and manufacturing of a functional breadboard of a miniaturized and portable instrument suitable for robotic exploration based on luminescence techniques. Three miniaturized models prototypes have been designed, developed and tested providing for each model improved functionalities and performance using new or improved engineering solutions and equipment.
e) A validation campaign carried out comparing the instrument measurements with the equivalent laboratory instruments provided evidence that the functional requirements have been met. The campaign demonstrated the functional equivalence of the developed prototype with similar equipment sonly suitable for specialized laboratories.
f) The analysis of the future exploitation measure provided a complete and robust “exploitation Plan” including the definition of the business model and future step to bring the project results in the market targeting both Earth science (mainly geology and archaeology) as well as future planetary mission to Mars.
The target exploitation of the results will be to provide a “product” (the “in situ” portable instrument to date rock samples and sediments useful in geology and archaeology) were only laboratory instrument are currently available on the market.
