The search for signatures of life beyond Earth has been a major goal of space research and astrobiology for decades. The combination of expanded knowledge on Solar System bodies from past missions and advancements in in-situ detection technologies may place humanity on the verge of discovering extraterrestrial life.
Here, we highlight the current measurement capabilities of Laser Ionisation Mass Spectrometry for the detection of several classes of signatures of life of high relevance to current astrobiology-focused missions.
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