The ORIGIN Space Instrument for Detecting Biosignatures and Habitability Indicators on a Venus Life Finder Mission

Recent and past observations of chemical physical peculiarities in the atmosphere Venus have renewed speculations about existence life its clouds. To find signs Venusian life, a dedicated astrobiological space exploration mission is required, for this reason Life Finder currently being prepared. A will require specialized instruments to hunt biosignatures habitability indicators. In contribution, we present ORIGIN instrument, laser desorption/laser ablation ionization mass spectrometer. This instrument designed detect large, non-volatile molecules, specifically biomolecules such as amino acids lipids. At same time, it can also be used mode elemental composition analysis. studies with prototype acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lipids, salts, metals, sulphur isotopes, microbial are discussed context indicators Venus’s atmosphere. The implementation into discussed, emphasizing low weight power consumption instrument. An design sample handling system presented that make optimal use capabilities highly versatile proven investigate potentially resolve many outstanding questions presence