Astrochemistry Laboratory

Missions & Projects

The research groups listed here are composed mostly of scientists in the Astrochemistry Laboratory at NASA Goddard.

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Astrobiology Analytical Laboratory

The Astrobiology Analytical Laboratory is dedicated to the study of organic compounds derived from Stardust and future sample return missions, meteorites, lab simulations of Mars, interstellar, proto-planetary, and cometary ices and grains, and instrument development.

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    Research Group

    Cosmic Ice Laboratory

    Our research group specializes in studying the spectra, the chemistry, and the physical properties of ices relevant to comets, icy satellites and planets, and the coatings of dust grains in the interstellar medium.

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      Europa
      Flight Project

      James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

      The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large space observatory that will operate in an orbit some 1 million miles from Earth. JWST will find the first galaxies that formed in the early universe, connecting the Big Bang to our own Milky Way Galaxy. It will also peer through dusty clouds to see stars forming planetary systems, connecting the Milky Way to our own solar System. Webb's instruments are designed to work primarily in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, with some capability in the visible range. The observatory was launched on Dec 25, 2021.

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        artist's conception of JWST in space
        Flight Project

        Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)

        The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is an unmanned spacecraft designed to create a comprehensive atlas of the moon's physical features, radiation environment, temperatures, and resources. The mission places special emphasis on the moon's polar regions, where permanently shadowed craters may contain significant amounts of water ice that future human explorers might be able to exploit. LRO launched on June 18, 2009.

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        Instruments
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        Aritst's conception of LRO in orbit around the Moon
        Research Group

        Nucleation & Dust Chemistry Laboratory

        Our research group is part of the Astrochemistry Laboratory in the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. We specialize in studies of grains and grain analogues of relevance to planets, comets, the interstellar medium, and other extraterrestrial environments.

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          image of star field
          Flight Project

          OSIRIS-REx (OSIRIS-REx)

          OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security--Regolith Explorer) launched September 8, 2016. It explored the Near Earth Asteroid (101955) Bennu in detail including with the Goddard-built OVIRS instrument. OSIRIS-REx collected a sample in October 2020 and returned it to Earth on September 24, 2023. This sample will help us investigate planet formation and the origin of life, and the data collected at the asteroid will also aid our understanding of asteroids that can impact Earth (Bennu is a potentially hazardous object with a 1-in-2,700 chance of impacting Earth between the years 2175 and 2199). OSIRIS-REx is led by PI Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona and managed by GSFC.

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            OSIRIS-REx Logo

            Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG)

            The Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG) is a radiative transfer model suite for synthesizing and retrieving planetary spectra for a broad range of wavelengths from any observatory, orbiter and/or lander.

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                Graphic representing the parts of the PSG system
                Research Group

                Theory and Observation Group

                The Theory and Observation Group is part of the Astrochemistry Laboratory in the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. We specialize in developing theoretical models for the formation and destruction of molecules in comets, the interstellar medium, and other extraterrestrial environments. We also are active in using radio telescopes to study the chemistry of these same regions of the galaxy.

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                  image of star field
                  Research Group

                  X-Ray & Gamma Ray Detector Laboratories

                  Our research group is part of the Astrochemistry Laboratory in the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. We specialize in the design, construction, testing, and application of new detection systems for high-energy particles.

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                    photo of detector

                    Contact Us

                    Michele Smith
                    Project Support Specialist
                    301-286-3902
                    michele.l.smith@nasa.gov

                    General inquiries about the scientific programs at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center may be directed to the Office of Public Affairs at 1.301.286.8955.