Kingdom, and Canada. The instrument has been designed to specifically detect carbonates, oxalates, borates, nitrates, NH4-bearing minerals, that are good indicators of past habitable conditions such as aqueous minerals. It is also designed to detect organic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and those containing aliphatic C-H molecules. In addition, ISEM can also detect seasonal frost, if present at the landing site, and it can be used to analyse the bore hole excavated by the ExoMars drill, if the rover backs away some distance. See also Astrobiology Life on Mars References ExoMars Spacecraft instruments Astrobiology Space science experiments Space program of Russia