Detection of organic matter on Mars, results from various Mars missions, challenges, and future strategy: A review

This review paper summarizes the literature on organic matter detection by various Mars lander/rover missions, in order to understand progress towards dealing with methodological challenges analysis of Martian regolith and drilled mudstone samples. shows that missions are so far successful detecting simple some complex molecules, but their origin i.e., whether sourced cosmic dust, meteoric bombardment, geochemical reduction inorganic carbon during hydrothermal or igneous activity, produced biologically ancient habitable deposition environment, remains unknown. The preservation depositional realm has also been found as one biggest hurdles its search. Therefore, upcoming ExoMars mission equipped instruments would be able drill retrieve 2 m subsurface cores for analysis, assumption samples have better chances preserving original from disintegration ultraviolet (UV) radiation, galactic rays, solar energetic particles. In addition method used previous [simple pyrolysis-GCMS use combination thermal combustion derivatization (thermochemolysis)-GCMS], other alternative methodologies Raman spectroscopy (laser 523) plus deep resonant fluorescence 2020 Perseverance rover will well. Learning past help developing strategies tools future goal it is habitability.