Understanding Hypervelocity Sampling of Biosignatures in Space Missions.

ABSTRACT: The atomic-scale fragmentation processes involved in molecules undergoing hypervelocity impacts (HVIs; defined as >3 km/s) are challenging to investigate via experiments and still not well understood. This is particularly relevant for the consistency of biosignals from small-molecular-weight neutral organic molecules obtained during solar system robotic missions sampling atmospheres and plumes at hypervelocities. Experimental measurements to replicate HVI effects on neutral molecules are challenging, both in terms of accelerating uncharged species and isolating the multiple transition states over very rapid timescales (<1 ps). Nonequilibrium first-principles-based simulations extend the range of what is possible with experiments. We report on high-fidelity simulations of the

SUBMITTER: Jaramillo-Botero A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7994429 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature