Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Validair supplies airborne particle counter for studying Mars soil

Space

Validair supplies airborne particle counter for studying Mars soil

Was there life on Mars? Amongst the excitement of space missions to the Red Planet, successful landings and the deployment of the Mars Rover, it’s easy to forget that the vital analysis of samples retrieved from the surface will take place here, on our Blue Planet.



Image courtesy Validair

In preparation for the return of soil samples, the University of Leicester has designed a new doublewalled  isolator to provide a super‐sterile research and analysis environment, protecting the  invaluable Martian material from earthly contaminants. That protection will be constantly  monitored by a TSI AeroTrak 9110‐01 Airborne Particle Counter supplied by Validair Monitoring  Solutions Ltd.

The entire Mars project looks to the future, in more ways than one. With these extra‐terrestrial 

Advertisement
ODU RT
exploration projects spanning many years, planning is crucial. Even though soil samples from the  surface of Mars are not expected back on Earth for 10 years, the new isolator, its instruments  including the Validair APC, and the research facilities will be ready and validated. Some of the  students at the University’s Space Park working on project preparations today will be fully qualified 
Advertisement
ODU RT
research scientists by the time the analysis process begins. At that point, we can expect to be closer  to answering the question: was there life on Mars?

 

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

22 May 2026

ADS, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space industries, has announced the appointment of Andy Williams as Scotland Director.

King’s College London and Cranfield University propose merger

Aerospace Defence Security Space

King’s College London and Cranfield University propose merger

22 May 2026

King’s College London and Cranfield University have announced that the two universities have signed an agreement as the first step towards a merger, with the aim of bringing the two institutions together from August 2027, which will support UK national capability and resilience.

British defence unicorns awarded new MoD contracts

Defence Space

British defence unicorns awarded new MoD contracts

21 May 2026

Thirteen British businesses have been awarded contracts of up to £4 million to work with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to boost rapid procurement, drive innovation and deliver advanced technology for UK Armed Forces.

Northumbria University looks at satellite collision avoidance using AI

Space

Northumbria University looks at satellite collision avoidance using AI

20 May 2026

Northumbria University is leading a new project to improve the AI systems at the heart of modern collision avoidance in space.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK plays key role in SMILE mission launched to examine Earth’s magnetic shield

Space

UK plays key role in SMILE mission launched to examine Earth’s magnetic shield

19 May 2026

UK scientists and companies are at the heart of the pioneering Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission - launched into orbit today - that will transform our understanding of how Earth is protected from the Sun.

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

Defence Space

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

18 May 2026

BAE Systems has delivered the sensor subassembly and sensor system controller components for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar (NGP) programme, providing advanced missile warning, technical intelligence and battlespace characterisation mission capabilities, for the US Space Force.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB