An integrated multi-purpose biology instrument utilizing a single detector, the mass spectrometer.

A mass spectrometer is used to analyze the gas phase in a number of reaction vessels filled with Martian soil. By choosing appropriate incubation conditions this instrument can be used to perform a wide spectrum of experiments ranging from the observation of general indices of life, i.e. processes and patterns unexplainable by physico-chemical mechanisms, to assays utilizing isotopes which probe for specific metabolic processes. Of particular interest is the in situ incubation in which a Martian soil sample is maintained at a constant temperature and its gas phase composition analyzed with time. Properly interpreted, this is a very general life-detection probe which makes minimal assumption as to the nature of Martian biology. Other assays and measurements concerning the soil and the atmosphere compatible with this method are also described.