The Raman laser spectrometer ExoMars simulator (RLS Sim): A heavy?duty Raman tool for ground testing on ExoMars

The Raman laser spectrometer (RLS) instrument onboard the Rosalind Franklin rover of ExoMars 2022 mission will analyze powdered samples on Mars to search for traces life. To prepare mission, RLS scientific team has developed Simulator (RLS Sim), a flexible model that operates similarly actual instrument, both in laboratory and field conditions, while also emulating operational constraints terms sample distribution are relevant analysis. This system can operate autonomously perform RLS-representative analysis one or several samples, making it very useful heavy experimental tasks would otherwise be impossible using flight-representative instrument. In this work, we introduce current configuration Sim incorporated new hardware elements such as RAman Demonstrator 1 (RAD1) with objective approaching its performance evaluate capability Sim, have compared replica RLS, Flight Spare (FS). Several acquisition aspects been evaluated based select assessing spectral range resolution studying issues related evolution signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) different parameters, especially number accumulations. shown updated key support science rover. Designed work intensively, use combination FS facilitate maximizing return during Martian operations.