  RATIONALE: The investigation of cryogenic planetary environments as potential
harbors for extant life and/or contemporary sites of organic synthesis
represents an emerging focal point in planetary exploration. Next generation
instruments need to be capable of unambiguously determining elemental and/or
molecular stoichiometry via highly accurate mass measurements and the
separation of isobaric interferences. METHODS: An OrbitrapTM analyzer adapted
for spaceflight (referred to as the CosmOrbitrap), coupled with a commercial
pulsed UV laser source (266 nm), is shown to successfully characterize a
variety of planetary analog samples via ultrahigh resolution laser
desorption/ablation mass spectrometry. The materials analyzed in this study
include: jarosite (a hydrous sulfate detected on Mars); magnesium sulfate (a
potential component of the subsurface ocean on Europa); uracil (a nucleobase of
RNA); and a variety of amino acids. RESULTS: The instrument configuration
tested here enables: measurement of major elements and organic molecules with
ultrahigh mass resolution (m/{\Delta}m higher than 120,000, FWHM);
quantification of isotopic abundances with 1.0% (2{\sigma}) precision; and,
identification of highly accurate masses within 3.2 ppm of absolute values. The
analysis of a residue of a dilute solution of amino acids demonstrates the
capacity to detect twelve amino acids in positive ion mode at concentrations as
low as 1 pmol/mm2 while maintaining mass resolution and accuracy requirements.
CONCLUSIONS: The CosmOrbitrap mass analyzer is highly sensitive and delivers
mass resolution/accuracy unmatched by any instrument sent into orbit or
launched into deep space. This prototype instrument, which maps to a
spaceflight implementation, represents a missionenabling technology capable of
advancing planetary exploration for decades to come.
