Microthermogravimetric analysis as a useful tool for in-situ planetary space missions

Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) is a widely used technique to investigate condensation/sublimation and absorption/desorption processes of volatile compounds in different environments. TGA analyzers are used to investigate outgassing contamination in Space, dehydration and organic decomposition in minerals, as well as to measure moisture content in foods or develop temperature profiles for firing ceramics [1,2,3]. TGA is often coupled with other analytical techniques (e.g., mass spectroscopy and FTIR) in order to determine the specific off-gas materials [4,5].