Use of the correlation matrix approach to define the life detection techniques in a sample curation facility

Abstract

EURO-CARES (European Curation of Astromaterials Returned from Exploration of Space) was a three year (2015-2017), multinational project, funded under the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research programme to develop a roadmap for a European Extra-terrestrial Sample Curation Facility (ESCF). If the samples are brought back to Earth from bodies where there is the possibility of presence of extant or extinct life, there are a wide number of proposed approaches on the techniques to use in order to investigate the presence of biosignatures: [3], [4], [5], etc. All the studies lead to a proposed list of techniques suitable for life detection along with details about the field of application, their efficiency and limits. What is missing is a critical approach able to make a comparison between the techniques in terms of effectiveness, to find a prioritizing ranking. In this paper a quality engineering tool approach, the correlation matrix, was used to support the choice of the techniques for life detection, [1], [2]. The challenge was to analyze and evaluate every technique. To do it, a wide panel of expert was involved. Experts in the following scientific and technological field composed the team: process engineering, mechanical engineering, biology, astrobiology, chemistry. The paper shows how, using a logical flow of analysis, it was possible to identify the critical issues and to highlight the priorities.