Miniaturized gas chromatography for space exploration : a 50 years history

Since the beginning of the in situ exploration of alien worlds in the solar system, the characterization of the chemical composition in volatile materials and organic molecules is among the top priorities. Indeed, these compounds learn us about the origin and history of these world, their potential for habitability, and somehow the nature of resources they could provide, especially for future inhabited exploration. Among the chemical analytical techniques existing, gas chromatography was preferentially used as it is a robust instrumentation that can be used in many environments. Obviously, as the constraints of spacecraft accommodation require for light and small instruments, gas chromatographs have to meet these constraints and to be miniaturized compared to the laboratory set-up. This article tells the story of gas chromatography for space exploration and give information about its miniaturization.