1. Software Development for a Diode Laser Spectrometer Amlam Niragire Dr. Edmond Wilson Dr. Chih-Hao Wu

2. Introduction For a long time, scientists have wondered about the possibility of life on Mars A lot of research has been conducted yet there is no answer Recently, A team of NASA scientists found evidence of past water movement by studying a Martian meteorite ( Yamato 000593) At Harding, we have been developing a robotic vehicle for space missions specifically in the search for science for life in the solar system Laser absorption spectrometry (LAS) techniques

3. The Robot Measurement Factors: -Laser to detector distance -Laser source temperature -Current through the laser Laser Source Detector

4. The Robot

5. Software Related Hardware Computer NI cDAQ embedded controller Laser temperature controller Detector temperature controller LaserDetector

6. Control Panel Generate control signals Acquire and save data Provide feedback

7. Data DATA

8. Frequency Study Limited resolution as modulation frequency increases

9. Temperature Study

10. Distance study Sensitivity increases with distance

11. Data analysis Averaging

12. Averaging Base line

13. Data analysis Averaging Base line Inverting

14. Data analysis The area under the curve is proportional to the gas concentration

15. What’s next? Software created worked very well Provide insight Gained experience Field tests to be carried out this Spring and Summer Field tests will focus on measuring water vapor, methane, and CO 2

16. Acknowledgement NASA EPSCoR Arkansas Space Grant Consortium

17. Any Questions ? THANK YOU