Chapter 11: In Situ X-ray Spectrometers in Space Exploration

X-ray spectrometers play a central role in planetary exploration. The operation of these instruments on the surface of rocky bodies in our solar system presents a myriad of challenges. In this chapter we discuss the history of in situ X-ray spectrometers in space exploration, note challenges specifically relevant to Mars as well as some common mitigation strategies applied, and capture a subset of the science that has been directly enabled through the use of portable X-ray instrumentation on the surface of Mars.