As NASA continues its ambitious mission of robotic and human exploration from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Mars over the next few decades, chemistry will play a fundamental role in new developments and discoveries. In LEO, the International Space Station (ISS) provides opportunities to perform experiments to understand the role that gravity plays in basic chemical processes, where diffusion can be studied in the absence of sedimentation and buoyancy in basic chemical reactions. Other experiments are aimed at optimizing material development for use in space and on Earth, elucidating the structures of complicated protein crystals for developing medical therapies on Earth, and improving on existing spacecraft propellant management systems and air and water recycling systems. Robotic missions beyond Earth, such as lunar, Martian, and asteroid missions will require specific sampling strategies to determine which samples are scientifically interesting for return to Earth for detailed cosmochemical laboratory analysis. Cosmochemistry is the study of chemical composition of matter in the universe and its associated process of formation. During lunar and Martian missions, where soil chemistry is complex, instruments will need to perform real-time in-situ chemical analysis of samples for determination if they should be returned to Earth. In addition, the study of the distribution of organic material throughout the solar system, as we look for life beyond Earth, is just beginning. Other missions, such as those to asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu where, we believe, samples would be more chemically homogenous, a “grab and go” sample collection method of sample return is most efficient. Just from these few examples, it is clear that analytical chemistry, computational chemistry, nuclear and isotope chemistry, physical and theoretical chemistry, and organic chemistry will play an increasing srole in future space discoveries.

Chemistry for the age of space exploration

2019 Spring National Meeting

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