Systematic investigation of techniques and hardware which could be utilized in life detection system has resulted in identification of group of candidate concepts and selection of "unified system". Theme of concept permits greatest flexibility in procedural details for experiments which can be performed in individual ampules

Crissey, M. E.

Martin, J. P.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

September 1973	 B78-10877 
•	 NASA TECH BRIEF 
Ames Research Center
	 4r 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage
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commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Unified Life Detection System—A Concept 
A system for the detection of extraterrestrial life 
must receive soil from a collector head, meter the soil 
to ampules and inject nutrients, seal the ampules, 
and eventually sample and analyze generated gases 
with a mass spectrometer; all data are transmitted to 
earth. 
A systematic investigation of techniques and hard-
ware which could possibly be utilized in a life detec-
tion system to perform the functions indicated above 
has resulted in the identification of a group of candi-
date concepts and the selection of a "unified system" 
which incorporates the desirable features of the 
concepts. 
The principle theme of the unified system concept 
is to permit the greatest flexibility in the procedural 
details for the experiments which can be performed 
in individual ampules. Results of the studies per-
formed thus far suggest that soil which is received in 
a centrally-located funnel can be effectively metered 
by a shuttle mechanism which transfers soil from the 
funnel to one of a series of ampules mounted on 'a 
horizontal wheel; the wheel is indexed by a Geneva 
movement to bring another ampule into position for 
receiving a soil sample. After each ampule is filled, it 
is moved rapidly out of the wheel; nutrients that are
contained in quartz capsules are released into the 
ampules by electrically-activated spring cartridges. 
Then, after the ampules are connected to their caps, 
hermetic closure is effected by a spring-washer de-
vice released electrically. Individual molecular leak 
valves on each ampule cap connect to a manifold 
leading to a quadrupole mass spectrometer that is 
used to analyze the gases generated in the ampules. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Ames Research Center 
Moffett Field, California 94035 
Reference: TSP 78-10377 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: Joseph P. Martin and Merrill E. Crissey of 
Martin Marietta Corporation 
under contract to 
Ames Research Center 
(ARC-10769) 
Category 05 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
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Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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Unified life detection system: A concept

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