LDM (Life Detection Microscope): In Situ Imaging of Living Cells on Surface of Mars

Abstract

The Life Detection Microscope (LDM) is the instrument to take microscopic images of powder samples on Mars surface. The LDM is designed to use fluorescence pigments to detect organic compounds and those surrounded by membrane, and then to test the esterase catalytic activity to detect metabolic reaction, as well as to take microscopic images of regolith and dust particles. The LDM has high resolution to resolve terrestrial prokaryotes (primitive microorganism), 1 μm/pixel, and high sensitivity, 10⁴ “cells” per gram powder, by inspecting sufficient, 1 mm³, volume of powder sample. We propose to conduct extant, not only past, life search program on Mars surface.