A CMOS 183 GHz Millimeter-Wave Spectrometer for Exploring the Origins of Water and Evolution of the Solar System

This paper discusses advanced CMOS-based remote sensing emission spectrometers towards measuring the D/H (Deuterium/Hydrogen) ratio throughout the solar system. These isotopic measurements are critical to gain a clearer understanding of the water on Earth and its origins. We briefly review the MIRO instrument aboard the ESA/Rosetta mission, the isotopic measurements performed at a Jovian comet 67P and the challenges they pose to the cometary hypothesis for the origin of water on Earth. We then present the next generation low-cost CMOS-based water sensing spectrometer and describe how it can help address these critical science questions. We discuss design and development of the CMOS spectrometer and its first space test flight aboard the NASA ReckTangLE sub-orbital mission in 2019.