The Scientific Importance of Mars Sample Return
Abstract
The iMOST Report [1] proposed 7 primary objectives for Mars Sample Return. Five of these relate to understanding the origin and evolution of Mars and its potential habitability, both now and in the past; the remaining two consider the environmental risks for human exploration of Mars, and possibilities for ISRU.
Instruments currently on Mars can determine the mineralogy, chemistry, volatile elemental and isotopic composition and structure of samples, but there are still gaps where information is missing because analytical techniques have not yet been adapted or developed for deployment on spacecraft. For example, some radiometric systems for dating the absolute age of a rock require precision measurement of small quantities of material separated from whole rock samples. Assuming, as recommended [1], that suites of MSR samples would be collected from a locality, there are several advantages to analysing samples in terrestrial laboratories (ex situ) compared with making analogous measurements on Mars (in situ). The advantages would include: (a) Access to sophisticated sample preparation, such as production of a polished section for detailed microscopy and image analysis, as well as mineral chemistry, or separation of discrete populations of mineral grains for age-dating; (b) Specific preparations would allow analysis of discrete phases in a single sample by multiple instruments, e.g., Raman or FTIR spectroscopy (structure, mineralogy), followed by electron microscopy (texture, mineral chemistry) then ion microprobe (elemental and isotopic composition); (c) The different analytical techniques could be performed with enhanced spatial resolution and could be repeated if necessary. For analysis of small amounts of material, data could be collected over long periods of time in a stable environment; (d) Investigation pathways could be developed in real-time in response to unexpected discoveries or new analytical techniques. References: [1] International MSR Objectives and Samples Team (iMOST). 2019. MAPS 54, S3-152. doi.org/10.1111/maps.13242.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.P33E..04G
- Keywords:
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- 0406 Astrobiology and extraterrestrial materials;
- BIOGEOSCIENCES;
- 6225 Mars;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 6304 Benefit-cost analysis;
- POLICY SCIENCES;
- 6329 Project evaluation;
- POLICY SCIENCES