Operation of a programmable microfluidic organic analyzer under microgravity conditions simulating space flight environments

A programmable microfluidic organic analyzer is developed for detecting life signatures beyond Earth and for clinical monitoring of astronaut health. Extensive environmental tests including various gravitational fields are required to confirm the functionality of this analyzer and to advance its overall Technology Readiness Level (TRL). This work examines how a programmable microfluidic analyzer performs under simulated Lunar, Martian, zero, and hypergravity conditions during a parabolic flight. We confirm that the functionality of the programmable microfluidic analyzer is minimally affected by large changes in gravitational field, thus paving the way for its use in a variety of space mission opportunities.