Planetary Atmospheres Minor Species Sensor can detect tiny traces of gas . It can detect just one molecule of methane among a trillion other molecules . Toaster-sized instrument flew 105,000 feet above Earth 's surface in first test . It spent an hour at 19.8 miles collecting data before parachuting to Earth . Nasa hope to send it to Mars and other planets to search for signs of life .
Planetary Atmospheres Minor Species Sensor can detect tiny traces of gas . It can detect just one molecule of methane among a trillion other molecules . Toaster-sized instrument flew 19.8 miles above Earth 's surface in first test . It spent an hour at 105,000 feet collecting data before parachuting to Earth . Nasa hope to send it to Mars and other planets to search for signs of life .