L’objectif de la thèse est de créer une collection de roches et minéraux analogues pour calibrer et tester les futurs (et existants) instruments de vol, en accord avec la géologie de Mars afin de préparer les futures missions in situ (MSL-2011 et ExoMars-2018). Les échantillons sont caractérisés avec des instruments de laboratoire (microscope, Raman, IR, DRX, MEB, microsonde électronique, et ICP-MS), mais aussi avec des instruments de vol en développement (Mössbauer MIMOS II, les spectromètres ExoMars Raman et IR (MicroOmega)). L’ensemble des échantillons sont décrits sur une base de données en ligne à l’adresse : www.isar.cnrs-orleans.fr. Une partie de cette thèse est dédiée au développement d’un instrument de cathodoluminescence, qui peut être adapté au spatial. L’étude des processus d’altération des basaltes sur Terre montrant des similarités avec les processus de surface et de subsurface présent sur Mars, permet d’aider à mieux comprendre et interpréter les objets sur Mars. Pour cela, et pour compléter la collection, des basaltes altérés dans des conditions hydrothermales et acides ont été collecté dans la mine de Skouriotissa à Chypre. L’évolution minéralogique des basaltes à travers les différents facies d’altération a été étudiée. Parce que les basaltes terrestres sont plus pauvres en Fe et Mg que les basaltes martiens, deux basaltes artificiels ont été synthétisé. Ces deux échantillons sont différents en terme de refroidissement (~110°C/h et trempé). On note que le basalte refroidi lentement montre des textures spinifex similaires aux komatiites. Si ce type de basalte est présent sur Mars, et altéré en présence d’eau, ceci peut avoir d’importantes implications exobiologiques. / In order to prepare for the next in situ missions to Mars (MSL-2011 and ExoMars-2018), the objective of mythesis is to create a collection of relevant analogue rocks and minerals for calibrating and testing future (and existing) space flight instruments, in accordance with the geology of Mars. They were characterized using standard laboratory instrumentation (optical microscopy, Raman, IR, XRD, SEM, electron microprobe and ICP-MS), as well as by flight instrumentation in development (Mössbauer MIMOSII, ExoMars Raman and IR (MicrOmega) spectrometers). All the samples are described in an online database in the following web site: www.isar.cnrs-orleans.fr. A part of this thesis is dedicated to the development of a cathodoluminescence (CL) instrument that could potentially be adapted for space flight. Study of alteration processes of basalts on Earth that show some similarities to surface and subsurface processes occurring on Mars may help understand and interpret martian features. Therefore, to complete the collection, samples of hydrothermal and acidic weathered basalts were collected from the Skouriotissa mine in Cyprus. The mineralogical evolution of the basalt through different alteration facies was studied. Because terrestrial basalts are poorer in Fe and Mg than martian basalts, I synthesized two artificial martian basalts. The two artificial basalts are different in terms of cooling rate (~110°C/h and drop-quenched, >1200°C/h). Interestingly, the more slowly-cooled sample exhibits a spinifex texture, similar to that of komatiites. If similar basalts occur on Mars, such rocks when altered by aqueous processes may have astrobiological implications.

In order to prepare for the next in situ missions to Mars (MSL-2011 and ExoMars-2018), the objective of mythesis is to create a collection of relevant analogue rocks and minerals for calibrating and testing future (and existing) space flight instruments, in accordance with the geology of Mars. They were characterized using standard laboratory instrumentation (optical microscopy, Raman, IR, XRD, SEM, electron microprobe and ICP-MS), as well as by flight instrumentation in development (Mössbauer MIMOSII, ExoMars Raman and IR (MicrOmega) spectrometers). All the samples are described in an online database in the following web site: www.isar.cnrs-orleans.fr. A part of this thesis is dedicated to the development of a cathodoluminescence (CL) instrument that could potentially be adapted for space flight. Study of alteration processes of basalts on Earth that show some similarities to surface and subsurface processes occurring on Mars may help understand and interpret martian features. Therefore, to complete the collection, samples of hydrothermal and acidic weathered basalts were collected from the Skouriotissa mine in Cyprus. The mineralogical evolution of the basalt through different alteration facies was studied. Because terrestrial basalts are poorer in Fe and Mg than martian basalts, I synthesized two artificial martian basalts. The two artificial basalts are different in terms of cooling rate (~110°C/h and drop-quenched, >1200°C/h). Interestingly, the more slowly-cooled sample exhibits a spinifex texture, similar to that of komatiites. If similar basalts occur on Mars, such rocks when altered by aqueous processes may have astrobiological implications.