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Microgravity Testing of a Surface Sampling System for Sample Return from Small Solar System BodiesThe return of samples from solar system bodies is becoming an essential element of solar system exploration. The recent National Research Council Solar System Exploration Decadal Survey identified six sample return missions as high priority missions: South-Aitken Basin Sample Return, Comet Surface Sample Return, Comet Surface Sample Return-sample from selected surface sites, Asteroid Lander/Rover/Sample Return, Comet Nucleus Sample Return-cold samples from depth, and Mars Sample Return [1] and the NASA Roadmap also includes sample return missions [2] . Sample collection methods that have been flown on robotic spacecraft to date return subgram quantities, but many scientific issues (like bulk composition, particle size distributions, petrology, chronology) require tens to hundreds of grams of sample. Many complex sample collection devices have been proposed, however, small robotic missions require simplicity. We present here the results of experiments done with a simple but innovative collection system for sample return from small solar system bodies.
Document ID
20040062103
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Franzen, M. A.
(Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences United States)
Preble, J.
(SpaceWorks, Inc. Carefree, AZ, United States)
Schoenoff, M.
(SpaceWorks, Inc. Carefree, AZ, United States)
Halona, K.
(SpaceWorks, Inc. Carefree, AZ, United States)
Long, T. E.
(Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ. Blacksburg, VA, United States)
Park, T.
(Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ. Blacksburg, VA, United States)
Sears, D. W. G.
(Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Asteroids, Meteors, Comets
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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