Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry

Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) is an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials designed for the Perseverance rover as part of the Mars 2020 mission.[1][2]

Mars Perseverance rover - PIXL studies a rock (artist concept)

Science Objectives[3]
  1. Provide detailed geochemical assessment of past environments, habitability, and biosignature preservation potential.
  2. Detect any potential chemical biosignatures that are encountered and characterize the geochemistry of any other types of potential biosignatures detected.
  3. Provide a detailed geochemical basis for selection of a compelling set of samples for return to Earth.
Perseverance rover - PIXL (31 July 2014).
Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)
Uncovered
Hexapod
Nightlight
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer developed for the Perseverance rover to analyze the composition of Martian surface materials.

See also

References
  1. Webster, Guy (31 July 2014). "Mars 2020 Rover's PIXL to Focus X-Rays on Tiny Targets". NASA. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  2. "Adaptive sampling for rover x-ray lithochemistry" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-08.
  3. "Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover: PIXL".
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