Scanning for extinct astrobiological residues and current habitats (SEARCH)

SEARCH is a new method to seek evidence of extinct life and potential habitats. SEARCH combines innovative spectroscopic integrated sensing and processing with a hyperspace data-analysis algorithm. Using UV, visible, and near-IR spectroscopic integrated sensing and processing, SEARCH is designed to explore and quantitatively assess a local region on the surface of a planet or moon as a potential habitat for life, past or present. In the course of collecting geological data, SEARCH spectrometry can investigate planetary processes of relevance to past habitability, including the role of water. In addition to its own investigations, SEARCH can be used at a distance to guide a rover to areas of interest for application of other analysis tools. Several prototype implementations of SEARCH have been developed and initial experimental results are presented along with a design for a full-scale version of SEARCH for Mars exploration.