Advancing SERS: Next-Level Organic Detection for Life Missions

The proposal introduces an advanced Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) architecture to revolutionize organic compound detection in space exploration, particularly for life detection missions. By leveraging plasmonic nanostructure-coated transparent viewports, the technology promises enhanced sensitivity and cost-effectiveness, suitable for budget-capped missions. Phase I funding will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of this SERS system, optimizing substrate-laser interactions for improved detection limits, substrate stability, and selectivity. In addition to life missions, Impossible Sensing targets the marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) market, filling the current gap in high-resolution, real-time data collection, a key impediment to the emerging mCDR industry.