Design Study of a Mars Ascent Vehicle for Sample Return Using In-Situ Generated Propellant

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey A. Landis ◽  
Steven R. Oleson ◽  
Thomas W. Packard ◽  
Diane L. Linne ◽  
Jeffrey M. Woytach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Study ◽  
Sample Return

Mission Incredible: A Titan Sample Return Using In-Situ Propellants

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey A. Landis ◽  
Steven R. Oleson ◽  
Elizabeth R. Turnbull ◽  
Ralph D. Lorenz ◽  
David A. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Return

Search for molecular biosignatures on Mars: laboratory simulations of UV irradiation of molecule-mineral complexes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Fornaro ◽  
Giovanni Poggiali ◽  
Maria Angela Corazzi ◽  
Cristina Garcia ◽  
Giulia Dimitri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Uv Irradiation ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
Spectroscopic Characterization ◽  
Sample Return ◽  
Laboratory Simulations ◽  
Prebiotic Molecules

<div> </div> <p><strong>Abstract</strong></p> <p>We present laboratory activities of preparation, characterization, and UV irradiation processing of Mars soil analogues, which are key to support both in situ exploration and sample return missions devoted to detection of molecular biosignatures on Mars.</p> <p>In detail we prepared analog mineral samples relevant to the landing sites of past, present and future Mars exploration missions, such as Gale Crater, Jezero Crater, and Oxia Planum. We doped these samples with a large variety of organic molecules (both biotic and prebiotic molecules) like amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides, aldehydes, lipids. We investigated molecular photostability under UV irradiation by monitoring in situ possible modifications of infrared spectroscopic features. These investigations provide pivotal information for ground analysis carried out by rovers on Mars.</p> <p><strong>Introduction</strong></p> <p>Laboratory simulations of Mars are key to support the scientific activity and technology development of life detection instruments on board present and upcoming rover missions such as Mars2020 Perseverance [1] and ExoMars2022 Rosalind Franklin [2]. Studies about the stability of organic molecules in a Martian-like environment allow us to explore the conditions for the preservation of molecular biosignatures and develop models for their degradation in the Martian geological record. A systematic study of the effects of UV radiation on a variety of molecule-mineral complexes mimicking Martian soil can be key for the selection of the most interesting samples to analyse in situ or/and collect for sample return. Testing the sensitivity of different techniques for detection of the diagnostic features of molecular biosignatures embedded into mineral matrices as a function of the molecular concentration helps the choice, design and operation of flight instruments, as well as the interpretation of data collected on the ground during mission operative periods.</p> <p><strong>Methods</strong></p> <p>Experimental analyses were conducted in the Astrobiology Laboratory at INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri (Firenze, Italy). Laboratory activities pertain to: (i) synthesis of Mars soil analogues doped with organic compounds that are considered potential molecular biosignatures; (ii) UV-irradiation processing of the Mars soil analogues under Martian-like conditions; and (iii) spectroscopic characterization of the Mars soil analogues.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong></p> <p>Such studies have shown to be very informative in identifying mineral deposits most suitable for preservation of organic compounds, while highlighting the complementarity of different techniques for biomarkers detection, which is critical for ensuring the success of space missions devoted to the search for signs of life on Mars.</p> <p>We will present a series of laboratory results on molecular degradation caused by UV on Mars and possible application to detection of organics by Martian rovers [3,4,5,6]. In detail, we investigated the photostability of several amino acids like glycine, alanine, methionine, valine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, glutamic acid, prebiotic molecules like urea, deoxyribose and glycolaldehyde, and biomarkers like nucleotides and phytane adsorbed on relevant Martian analogs. We monitored the degradation of these molecule-mineral complexes through in situ spectroscopic analysis, investigating the reflectance properties of the samples in the NIR/MIR spectral region. Such spectroscopic characterization of molecular alteration products provides support for two upcoming robotic missions to Mars that will employ NIR spectroscopy to look for molecular biosignatures, through the instruments SuperCam on board Mars 2020, ISEM, Ma_MISS and MicrOmega on board ExoMars 2022.</p> <p><strong>Acknowledgements</strong></p> <p>This research was supported by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) grant agreement ExoMars n. 2017-48-H.0.</p> <p><strong>References</strong></p> <p>[1] Farley K. A. et al. (2020) Space Sci. Rev. 216, 142.</p> <p>[2] Vago, J. L. et al. (2017) Astrobiology 6, 309–347.</p> <p>[3] Fornaro T. et al. (2013) Icarus 226, 1068–1085.</p> <p>[4] Fornaro T. et al. (2018) Icarus 313, 38-60.</p> <p>[5] Fornaro T. et al. (2020) Front. Astron. Space Sci. 7:539289.</p> <p>[6] Poggiali G. et al. (2020) Front. Astron. Space Sci. 7:18.</p>

High-priority lunar landing sites for in situ and sample return studies of polar volatiles

2014 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 149-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Lemelin ◽  
David M. Blair ◽  
Carolyn E. Roberts ◽  
Kirby D. Runyon ◽  
Daniela Nowka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Return ◽  
Lunar Landing ◽  
Landing Sites

APSIS — Aerogel position-sensitive impact sensor: Capabilities for in-situ collection and sample return

2000 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A.M. McDonnell ◽  
M.J. Burchell ◽  
S.F. Green ◽  
M. Leese ◽  
D. Wallis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Return ◽  
Position Sensitive ◽  
In Situ Collection

scholarly journals STARDUST: Comet and Interstellar Dust Sample Return Mission

1996 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
pp. 223-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.E. Brownlee ◽  
D. Burnett ◽  
B. Clark ◽  
M. S. Hanner ◽  
F. Horz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Interstellar Dust ◽  
Dust Sample ◽  
Flux Monitor ◽  
Microporous Silica ◽  
Sample Return ◽  
Cometary Dust ◽  
Dust Flux ◽  
Sample Return Mission

AbstractSTARDUST, a Discovery-class mission, will return intact samples of cometary dust and volatiles from comet P/Wild 2, as well as samples of the interstellar dust moving through the solar system. Dust capture utilizes aerogel, a microporous silica that is capable of intact capture of hypervelocity particles. A navigation camera, an in situ dust analyzer, and a dust flux monitor complete the payload. The Wild 2 flyby takes place in January 2004, with Earth return in January 2006.

Why NASA may be legally required to sterilize Mars samples to protect Earth's biosphere - 19 years minimum until ready to receive unsterilized samples with existing laws - advantages of orbits above GEO for preliminary telerobotic study instead

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Walker
Keyword(s):  
Worst Case ◽  
Sample Return ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Life On Mars ◽  
Previous Sample ◽  
Laplace Plane ◽  
Space Colonization ◽  
To Receive

NASA plans to return a sample from Mars in the 2020s. However they have not yet started on the legal process to return such a sample safely. There are many laws that already exist that protect Earth’s biosphere. Previous sample return studies have shown that we need to build a sample receiving facility to prevent adverse changes to the environment of Earth from a sample return. This paper examines the timescale based on an end to end requirement, that NASA are required to know what it is they need to build before approving funds for the build. This will not be known until the end of the legal process.We find that it is not possible, with current laws and technology, to have a facility ready to receive unsterilized samples on this timescale. However we find that it is possible to sterilize the samples sufficiently for planetary protection requirements while preserving both astrobiological and geological interest. We also propose as an alternative to return the sample to an orbit in the Laplace plane above GEO, as optimal for protection of Earth, the Moon, and other satellites. This will not delay the geological studies as sterilized subsamples can be returned immediately, and it will permit study of unsterilized material in situ telerobotically. We also look at particular worst case scenarios, which have not been considered in detail before, such as the return of a mirror life blue-green algae, capable of living on Mars and almost anywhere on Earth. We suggest that it is a high priority to determine whether Martian life can be safely mixed into the terrestrial biosphere, and to learn what safety protocols are needed to return it safely. We find that there could be life on Mars that can never be mixed into Earth’s biosphere safely. Finding the answers to this should be a top priority for both scientists and space colonization enthusiasts as the future possibilities, and opportunities, that are open to us depend on whether there is life on Mars and what its nature is.

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