On the prospective detection of polyoxymethylene in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko with the COSIMA instrument onboard Rosetta

► We report the extent to which COSIMA will be able to detect POM in cometary grains. ► POM lifetime on COSIMA targets have also been studied as POM is thermally instable. ► POM can be detected in the positive mode of the instrument. ► Mathematical treatment of the data will be useful to highlight POM in mass spectra. ► Cometary grains have to be analyzed within a fortnight after their collection.