Sample Return Missions: The Last Frontier of Solar System Exploration

Description

Sample Return Missions: The Last Frontier of Solar System Exploration examines the discoveries and results obtained from sample return missions of the past, present, and future. It analyses the results in the context of the current state of knowledge and their relation to the formation and evolution of planetary bodies, as well as to the available technologies and techniques. It provides detailed descriptions of experimental procedures applied to returned samples. Beginning with an overview of previous missions, Sample Return Missions then goes on to provide an overview of facilities throughout the world used to analyze the returned samples. Finally, it addresses techniques for collection, transport, and analysis of the samples, with an additional focus on lessons learned and future perspectives. Providing an in-depth examination of a variety of missions, with both scientific and engineering implications, this book is an important resource for the planetary science community, as well as the experimentalist and engineering communities. Front Matter Copyright Contents Contributors Chapter 1 - Introduction Part I - Space missions Chapter 2 - The Apollo program 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Early planning and strategies 2.2.1 Landing site selection 2.2.2 Science gains in importance 2.2.3 Other constraints 2.3 Experiments not related to geologic sampling 2.4 Tools & photography 2.5 The Apollo samples 2.5.1 Documented versus undocumented 2.5.2 “Contingency” samples 2.5.3 Regolith or “Soil” 2.5.4 Core samples 2.5.5 Rocks 2.5.6 Glass 2.5.7 KREEP 2.6 Transport & storage 2.6.1 Packaging on the Moon 2.6.2 Lunar Receiving Laboratory 2.7 Curation 2.7.1 Numbering system 2.7.2 Allocation process 2.7.3 Status of Apollo collection 2.8 Major findings 2.8.1 Extreme antiquity 2.8.2 Water 2.8.3 Anorthosite – magma ocean 2.8.4 Basalt – later volcanism 2.8.5 Glass – interior implications 2.8.6 KREEP – lunar magma ocean significance 2.8.7 Understanding of lunar and solar system processes 2.8.8 Origin of the Moon 2.8.9 Working in the lunar environment 2.9 Future lunar sampling References Chapter 3 - The Luna program 3.1 The beginning 3.2 “The Dark Side of the Moon” 3.3 First lunar surface panoramas 3.4 The first gamma-survey of the lunar surface 3.5 Lunokhod 3.6 Lunar samples return 3.6.1 Luna-16 3.6.2 Luna-20 3.6.3 Luna-24 3.7 Ground-based receiving complex for lunar soil 3.8 Primary processing of the lunar soil and major results 3.8.1 Luna-16 3.8.2 Luna-20 3.8.3 Luna-24 3.9 International exchange of lunar soil samples 3.10 Conclusions Acknowledgments References Chapter 4 - The Stardust sample return mission 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Mission overview 4.2.1 The target – comet 81P/Wild 2 4.2.2 Launch, orbital trajectory, and return 4.2.3 Spacecraft description 4.3 Results 4.3.1 Flyby observations 4.3.1.1 Camera images 4.3.1.2 Dust flux monitor data 4.3.2 Results obtained from returned samples 4.3.2.1 Physical nature of the dust 4.3.2.2 Elemental composition 4.3.2.3 Mineralogy 4.3.2.4 Organics 4.3.2.5 Isotopes 4.3.2.6 Craters 4.3.2.7 Interstellar particles 4.4 Conclusions Acknowledgements References Chapter 5 - The Genesis Solar-Wind Mission: first deep-space robotic mission to return to earth 5.1 Introduction and purpose of the Genesis mission 5.2 Mission and spacecraft design 5.3 Mission, re-entry, and recovery 5.4 Results and scientific discoveries 5.4.1 Isotopic compositions 5.4.1.1 Oxygen and nitrogen 5.4.1.2 Noble gases 5.4.1.3 Other isotopes 5.4.2 Elemental compositions 5.5 Conclusions Acknowledgements Permissions References Chapter 6 - The Hayabusa mission 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Spacecraft and operations 6.2.1 Spacecraft system 6.2.2 Mission operations 6.3 Scientific results: in-situ observations 6.3.1 Global properties of Itokawa 6.3.2 Shape and yorp effect 6.3.3 Boulders and craters 6.3.4 Regolith 6.3.5 Rubble-pile structure 6.4 Scientific results: sample analysis 6.4.1 Sample collection and curation 6.4.2 Sample analysis 6.4.3 Results 6.5 Final remark Acknowledgments References Chapter 7 - The Hayabusa2 mission: what will we expect from samples from C-type near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu? 7.1 Introduction 7.2 What did Hayabusa2 find at Ryugu? 7.3 Sample acquisition at Ryugu 7.4 Science goals of returned sample analysis 7.4.1 Galactic chemical evolution and Sun’s parent molecular cloud chemistry 7.4.2 Pre-accretional chemical evolution and planetesimal formation in the protosolar disk 7.4.3 Planetesimal processes: properties of the planetesimal and final evolutional stage of volatiles prior to delivery to ... 7.4.4 Geological evolution of the parent asteroid in the solar system 7.4.5 Surface geological processes of near-Earth asteroid 7.4.6 Integration of multiscale data from atomic-scale to asteroidal scale, and comparison with meteorites, interplanet ... 7.4.7 Expected sample science from Ryugu based on Hayabusa2 findings 7.5 Summary Avcknowledgement References Chapter 8 - OSIRIS-REx at Bennu: Overcoming challenges to collect a sample of the early Solar System 8.1 Introduction 8.1.1 Mission objectives 8.1.2 Payload overview 8.1.3 Planning tools 8.1.4 Adapting to the as-built Bennu 8.2 Mission operations 8.2.1 Outbound cruise 8.2.1.1 Trojan asteroid survey 8.2.1.2 Spacecraft debris 8.2.1.3 Earth gravity assist 8.2.1.4 Ephemeris late updates 8.2.2 Approach: Welcome to the rubble 8.2.3 Preliminary Survey: The triple bypass solution 8.2.4 Orbit A: Bennu strikes back 8.2.5 Detailed Survey–Baseball Diamond: A new ball game 8.2.6 Detailed Survey–Equatorial Stations: Mission pay dirt 8.2.7 Orbit B: Laser sharp 8.2.8 Orbit C: A welcome rest 8.2.9 Sample-site selection: target Nightingale 8.2.9.1 An arduous search 8.2.9.2 Recon A 8.2.9.3 Downselection 8.2.9.4 Recon B and C 8.3 Sample acquisition and a look forward to Earth return 8.4 Summary: To Bennu and back References Chapter 9 - The Chang’e-5 mission 9.1 Mission overview 9.2 Sampling and science operations 9.2.1 Landing site 9.2.2 Sampling technologies 9.2.3 In-situ exploration 9.3 Landing, recovery and transport procedures 9.4 Sample storage and analysis 9.4.1 Sample storage and curation 9.4.2 International collaboration 9.5 Conclusions References Chapter 10 - Future missions 10.1 The JAXA Martian Moons eXploration mission 10.1.1 The C-Sampler and related scientific goals 10.1.2 The P-Sampler and related scientific goals 10.1.3 Remote observations and landing 10.2 JAXA/OKEANOS 10.3 The NASA Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return 10.3.1 Scientific rationale 10.3.2 Precursor I: Rosetta 10.3.3 Precursor II: Stardust 10.3.4 Overview of the CAESAR mission 10.3.5 Sample goals and collection References Part II - Facilities Chapter 11 - The NASA’s Johnson Space Center Astromaterials facilities 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Principles of astromaterials curation 11.3 Current astromaterials collections and laboratories 11.3.1 Lunar Curatorial Facility 11.3.2 Genesis Curation Laboratory 11.3.3 Stardust Laboratory 11.3.4 NASA Hayabusa Laboratory 11.3.5 Other curation laboratories 11.4 Emerging collections 11.4.1 OSIRIS-REx collection 11.4.2 Hayabusa2 collection 11.5 Conclusions and future perspectives Acknowledgements References Chapter 12 - The JAXA Planetary Material Sample Curation Facility 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Scientific requirements of the JAXA’s Curation Center 12.3 Role of the Curation Center 12.4 Curation Center facility design 12.5 Clean room specifications 12.6 Clean chamber specifications 12.7 Operations at Curation Center 12.7.1 Facility maintenance 12.7.2 Equipment cleaning and environmental assessment 12.8 Current status of Hayabusa samples 12.9 New challenges and preparation for Hayabusa2 12.10 Conclusion References Chapter 13 - A roadmap for a European extraterrestrial sample curation facility – the EURO—CARES project 13.1 Requirements for a European facility 13.1.1 Planetary Protection considerations 13.1.2 Small sample handling 13.1.3 Analogue samples 13.1.4 Analytical instrumentation 13.1.5 Sample recovery and transport to and on Earth 13.1.6 Public perception and engagement 13.2 The EURO-CARES project 13.2.1 Work Package 2 – Planetary Protection 13.2.2 Work Package 3 – Facilities and Infrastructure 13.2.3 Work Package 4 - Instruments and Methods 13.2.4 Work Package 5 - Analogue Samples 13.2.5 Work Package 6 – Sample Transport Receiving Technologies 13.3 Summary and key recommendations Acknowledgements References Part III - Techniques and technologies Chapter 14 - Collection of samples 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Asteroid sampling systems 14.2.1 Sampling technologies for asteroids soil: state of art 14.2.2 Sampling systems used in past and present asteroid sample return mission 14.3 Cometary material sampling systems 14.3.1 Sampling technologies for cometary nuclei: state of art 14.3.2 Sampling technologies for cometary comae: state of art 14.3.3 Past comet sample return missions and recent mission studies 14.4 Sampling dust in space and in the upper Earth stratosphere 14.5 The future: planetary sampling systems 14.5.1 Technologies for soil sampling in future Mars & Moon space mission 14.5.2 Technologies for atmosphere sampling in future Mars space missions 14.6 Conclusions References Chapter 15 - Recovery and transport of samples 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Landing sites 15.2.1 Karaganda Area (KZ) 15.2.2 Siberia Area (RUS) 15.2.3 Utah Test and Training Range (USA) 15.2.4 White Sands Area (USA) 15.2.5 Wallops Flight Facility (USA) 15.2.6 The Woomera Prohibited Area (AUS) 15.2.7 Vidsel Test Range (SWE) 15.2.8 Siziwang Banner (CHN) 15.3 Transport of samples in previous missions 15.3.1 Apollo Program (NASA, 1961–1975) 15.3.2 Luna Program (USSR, 1959–1976) 15.3.3 Genesis mission (NASA, 2001–2004) 15.3.4 Stardust mission (NASA, 1999–2011) 15.3.5 Hayabusa Program (JAXA, 2003–2010) 15.3.6 OSIRIS-REx mission (NASA, 2016–2023) 15.3.7 Chang’e 5-T1 and Chang’e 5 missions (CNSA, 2014–2020) 15.4 Guidelines and regulatory issues for restricted samples packaging 15.4.1 Transport from landing site to curation facility 15.4.2 Transport between laboratories 15.5 Conclusions and future perspectives Acknowledgements References Chapter 16 - Techniques and instruments to analyze, characterize and study returned samples 16.1 Introduction: historical background 16.2 General presentation of the analytical techniques 16.3 Photon-based analytical techniques 16.3.1 Visible and infrared light 16.3.2 X-ray light 16.4 Electron-based analytical techniques 16.4.1 Scanning electron microscopy 16.4.2 Transmission electron microscopy 16.5 Ion-based analytical techniques 16.5.1 High energy methods: nuclear microprobe 16.5.2 Low energy methods: SIMS and SNMS/RIMS 16.6 Others 16.7 Complementary techniques in a multi-analytical sequence 16.8 Perspectives Acknowledgements References Chapter 17 - Preservation of samples 17.1 Planetary Protection 17.2 Sample curation facilities 17.3 Technologies for samples preservation in unrestricted and restricted missions 17.3.1 Sample preservation at landing sites 17.3.2 Cleanroom and BSL technologies 17.3.3 Tools and operations 17.3.4 Contamination Control 17.3.5 Sample degradation risk reduction 17.3.6 Cleaning and sterilization 17.4 Conclusions References Part IV - The future Chapter 18 - Lessons learned and future perspectives Index