MSR Science Planning Group 2 (MSPG2): Planning for the curation of MSR
samples in a Sample Receiving Facility
Abstract
All material that is collected from Mars (gases, dust, rock, regolith)
will need to be carefully handled, stored, and analyzed following Earth
return to minimize the alteration or contamination that could occur, and
to maximize the scientific information that can be extracted from the
samples, now and into the future. A Sample Receiving Facility (SRF)
would be where the Earth Entry System is opened, and the sample tubes
opened and processed after they land on Earth. The Mars Sample Return
(MSR) Science Planning Group Phase 2 (MSPG2) was tasked with identifying
the steps that encompass the curation activities that would happen
within an MSR SRF and any anticipated curation-related requirements. To
make the samples accessible for scientific investigation, a series of
observations and preliminary analytical measurements would need to be
completed to produce a sample catalog for the scientific community. The
sample catalog would provide data to make informed requests for samples
for scientific investigations and for the approval of allocations of
appropriate samples to satisfy these requests. The catalog would include
data and information generated during all phases of activity, including
data derived from the landed Mars 2020 mission, during sample retrieval
and transport to Earth, and upon receipt within the SRF, as well as
through the initial sample characterization process, sterilization- and
time-sensitive and science investigations. The Initial sample
characterization process can be divided into three phases, with
increasing complexity and invasiveness: Pre-Basic Characterization
(Pre-BC), Basic Characterization (BC), and Preliminary Examination (PE).
A significant portion of the Curation Focus Group’s efforts was
determining which analyzes and thus instrumentation would be required to
produce the sample catalog and how and when certain instrumentation
should be used. The goal is to provide enough information for the PIs to
request material for their studies but to avoid doing targeted
scientific research better left to peer-reviewed competitive processes.
Disclaimer: The decision to implement Mars Sample Return will not be
finalized until NASA’s completion of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) process. This document is being made available for planning
and information purposes only.