Uniform Supersonic Chemical Reactors: 30 Years of Astrochemical History and Future Challenges

The interstellar medium is of great interest to us as the place where stars and planets are born and from where, probably, the molecular precursors of life came to Earth. Astronomical observations, astrochemical modeling, and laboratory astrochemistry should go hand in hand to understand the chemical pathways to the formation of stars, planets, and biological molecules. We review here laboratory experiments devoted to investigations on the reaction dynamics of species of astrochemical interest at the temperatures of the interstellar medium and which were performed by using one of the most popular techniques in the field, CRESU. We discuss new technical developments and scientific ideas for CRESU, which, if realized, will bring us one step closer to understanding of the astrochemical history and the future of our universe. Masters of the universe: The interstellar medium (ISM) is of great interest as it is the place where stars and planets are born and from where, probably, the molecular precursors of life came to Earth. CRESU is one of the most popular techniques for investigating the reaction dynamics of species of astrochemical interest at the temperatures of the ISM. New technical developments and scientific ideas for CRESU are discussed in this Review.