SAM uses a suite of three analytical tools to study chemistry relevant to life. One key job is looking for carbon-based compounds that on Earth are building blocks of life. SAM will examine gases from the Martian atmosphere and gases that ovens and solvents pull from powered rock and soil samples. Curiosity's robotic arm will deliver the powdered samples to one of two inlet funnels on the rover deck. Atmospheric samples enter through filtered inlet ports on the side of the rover.
SAM has the ability to analyze powdered rock samples, soil, or the atmosphere on Mars. Find out what scientists can learn using SAM by selecting a sample for SAM to analyze and choosing how to direct the sample through SAM's instruments. Click on "ROCKS" or "AIR" to begin!
Scroll over SAM's instruments to learn more about them. (If your final info box disappears, please replay the experiment. Final information disappears when you move the cursor.)
Click the button to the right to restart your tour of SAM. Restart Your Tour
To learn more about what SAM found in the Mars atmosphere early in the mission, visit this website.
To learn more about what SAM found in solid samples it analyzed early in the mission, visit this website and this website.
For the latest news on what Curiosity and SAM have discovered, visit this website