Relevance for Astro/Exobiology

The dust detectors onboard interplanetary spacecrafts (Cassini-CDA, Stardust-CIDA, Rosetta-COSIMA) determine the composition of single micrograins by the means of time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. High velocity impacts of interplanetary and intersterstellar particles generate and impact plasmas which can be investigated by spectrometry methods. Due to the variety of organic components the mass spectra show many mass lines over a wide mass range. In order to compare the in-flight measurements with laboratory results, it is necessary to employ organic dust particles at the dust accelerator facility. For this purpose Latex particles can be accelerated and the related impact signals and mass lines can be analysed.

The laboratory generation and analysis of mass spectra of organic micrograin impacts provide the basis for an understanding of the composition of interplanetary and interstellar micrometeoroids.