Séminaire de Scott Van Bommel (Université de Washington) – « Beyond the XRF Blueprint : Un Voyage Extraordinaire »

X-ray spectrometers have been central to in situ geochemical investigations by rovers on Mars for nearly three decades. While these instruments were designed for specific science objectives, the scope of their application has since been broadened well beyond initial intent. Motivated by the challenges of operating on the martian surface, incremental advancements have enhanced the science return of these landed X-ray spectrometers, simultaneously expanding the science potential of future instruments sent to rocky bodies in our solar system. In this presentation we will discuss how an instrument designed to analyze rocks is uncovering global circulation patterns in the upper martian atmosphere. We will explore how a crewed mission to the surface of Mars would face significant hardware and human health challenges based on new science gleaned from rover engineering activities. Lastly, we will examine how collectively – and serendipitously, through a Voyage Extraordinaire – these incremental advancements played a pivotal role in a recent landmark discovery on Mars.