Low-energy laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for in-situ space missions to solar system bodies without atmospheres

► Laser induced atomic emission spectroscopy for atmosphereless solar system bodies is feasible. ► A miniaturized LIBS instrument with a mass of only ∼1 kg is feasible for in-situ chemical analysis. ► Excitation energy of only ∼1 mJ from an infrared laser is sufficient for the formation of a plasma