Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis

The United States possesses a treasure-trove of extraterrestrial samples that were returned to Earth via space missions over the past four decades. Analyses of these previously returned samples have led to major breakthroughs in the understanding of the age, composition, and origin of the solar system. Having the instrumentation, facilities and qualified personnel to undertake analyses of returned samples, especially from missions that take up to a decade or longer from launch to return, is thus of paramount importance if the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is to capitalize fully on the investment made in these missions, and to achieve the full scientific impact afforded by these extraordinary samples. Planetary science may be entering a new golden era of extraterrestrial sample return; now is the time to assess how prepared the scientific community is to take advantage of these opportunities. Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis assesses the current capabilities within the planetary science community for sample return analyses and curation, and what capabilities are currently missing that will be needed for future sample return missions. This report evaluates whether current laboratory support infrastructure and NASA's investment strategy is adequate to meet these analytical challenges and advises how the community can keep abreast of evolving and new techniques in order to stay at the forefront of extraterrestrial sample analysis.

Contents

• THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
• The National Academies of SCIENCES • ENGINEERING • MEDICINE
• The National Academies of SCIENCES • ENGINEERING • MEDICINE
• COMMITTEE ON EXTRATERRESTRIAL SAMPLE ANALYSIS FACILITIES
• SPACE STUDIES BOARD
• Preface
• Acknowledgment of Reviewers
• Summary
  • ADVICE TO NASA REGARDING FUNDING OF LABORATORIES
  • ADVICE TO NASA ON MAINTAINING WORLD-CLASS CURATION AND DEVELOPING FUTURE CURATORIAL FACILITIES
  • ADVICE TO NASA REGARDING INVESTMENT STRATEGY
• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1. BACKGROUND
  • 1.2. COMMITTEE CHARGE AND SCOPE
• 2. Previous Sample Return Missions and Other Collections
  • 2.1. SAMPLE RETURN MISSIONS
  • 2.2. OTHER COLLECTIONS
• 3. Current Sample Return Missions and Near-Future Priorities Outlined in the Planetary Science Decadal Survey
  • 3.1. CURRENT SAMPLE RETURN MISSIONS
  • 3.2. PRIORITIES FOR SAMPLE RETURN MISSIONS OUTLINED IN THE 2013-2022 DECADAL SURVEY
  • 3.3. POTENTIAL FUTURE MISSIONS GUIDED BY THE DECADAL SURVEY
  • 3.4. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE SAMPLE RETURN MISSIONS
• 4. Current Laboratories and Facilities
  • 4.1. RETRIEVAL, CURATION, AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RETURNED EXTRATERRESTRIAL SAMPLES
  • 4.2. FACILITIES FOR CURATION, TRIAGING, AND DESCRIPTION OF RETURNED SAMPLES
  • 4.3. SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION
  • 4.4. ANALYTICAL EQUIPMENT
  • 4.5. OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES
  • 4.6. LABORATORY AND FACILITY CONCLUSIONS
• 5. Current and Future Instrumentation and Investments for Extraterrestrial Sample Analysis
  • 5.1. OVERVIEW OF NASA FUNDING PROGRAMS RELEVANT TO RETURNED SAMPLE ANALYSIS
  • 5.2. CURRENT NASA PLANETARY SCIENCE INVESTMENTS
  • 5.3. FUTURE NASA PLANETARY SCIENCE INVESTMENTS
  • 5.4. SUSTAINING A SYSTEM OF PLANETARY SCIENCE LABORATORIES
• Appendixes
  • A. Statement of Task
  • B. Sampling of U.S. Laboratories Engaged in Extraterrestrial Sample Analysis
  • C. Sampling of International Laboratories Engaged in Extraterrestrial Sample Analysis
  • D. Meeting Agendas
  • E. Committee Members and Staff Biographical Information
  • F. Acronyms