The first instrument ever to make direct ‘in situ’ measurements of methane in the atmosphere of Mars, the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) on board ESA’s Mars Express spacecraft is back to operation after prolonged malfunctioning. It was since 2004, the instrument has been successfully providing us with information of the chemical composition of the Martian atmosphere. It rightfully claims to be the first indicator of traces of formaldehyde, one of the candidate ingredients for life. Capable of measuring the distribution of the major gaseous components of the atmosphere, the vertical distribution of their temperature and pressure, and determining their variation and global circulation during the different Martian seasons, the PFS is a very sensitive instrument. It can further be claimed as; PFS is also capable of detecting minor gaseous species and the presence of dust in the atmosphere and, during favorable observing conditions. It can also deduce the mineralogical composition of the soil.



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