Design, testing, and validation of the search for Extra-Terrestrial Genomes instrument

Abstract

The development of any spaceflight instrument involves a systematic, iterative process of design, testing, and validation. This ensures that the system developed will meet the needs of stakeholders while minimizing costs and risks. Here, the needs for a life-detection instrument targeting nucleic acids are identified, the objectives for that instrument are determined, and system engineering analysis is used to demonstrate that a Search for Extra-Terrestrial Genomes instrument would fulfill those objectives and is feasible for a rover mission. Additionally, we show our design and build process for a testbed to rapidly prototype SETG components and subsystems, which has successfully automated nucleic acid extraction, sequencer loading, and parts of library preparation. We also experiment with thermal simulations and conduct a sequencing test at Martian conditions, using a custom built thermal vacuum chamber system. Finally, this thesis explores potential avenues for future development and identifies short term and long term engineering goals that would assist the SETG team in developing an instrument prototype.