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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

2021 Consequence Management Hotline Drill After Action Report

In March 2021, a functional area drill was held at the Remote Sensing Laboratory–Nellis that focused on using CBRNResponder and the Digital Field Monitoring (DFM) tablets for sample hotline operations and the new paper Sample Control Forms (SCFs) for sample collection. Participants included staff trained and billeted as sample control specialists and Consequence Management Response Team (CMRT) field monitoring personnel. Teams were able to successfully gather and transfer samples to the sample control hotline staff through the manual process, though there were several noted areas for improvement. In July and October 2021, two additional functional area drills were held at Sandia National Laboratories that focused on field sample collection and custody transfer at the sample control hotline for the Consequence Management (CM) Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) program. The overarching goal of the drills was to evaluate the current CM process for sample collection, sample drop off, and sample control using the CBRNResponder mobile and web-based applications. The July 2021 drill had an additional focus to have a subset of samples analyzed by the local analytical laboratory, Radiation Protection Sample Diagnostics (RPSD) laboratory, to evaluate the Laboratory Access portal on CBRNResponder. All three drills were able to accomplish their objectives however, there were several issues noted (Observations: 25 Urgent, 29 Important, and 22 Improvement Opportunities). The observations were prioritized according to their impact on the mission as well as categorized to align with the programmatic functional area required to address the issue. This report provides additional detail on each observation for skillset/program leads and software developers to consider for future improvement or mandatory efforts.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗
NASA NTRS2009

Lunar Samples: Apollo Collection Tools, Curation Handling, Surveyor III and Soviet Luna Samples

The 6 Apollo missions that landed on the lunar surface returned 2196 samples comprised of 382 kg. The 58 samples weighing 21.5 kg collected on Apollo 11 expanded to 741 samples weighing 110.5 kg by the time of Apollo 17. The main goal on Apollo 11 was to obtain some material and return it safely to Earth. As we gained experience, the sampling tools and a more specific sampling strategy evolved. A summary of the sample types returned is shown in Table 1. By year 1989, some statistics on allocation by sample type were compiled [2]. The "scientific interest index" is based on the assumption that the more allocations per gram of sample, the higher the scientific interest. It is basically a reflection of the amount of diversity within a given sample type. Samples were also set aside for biohazard testing. The samples set aside and used for biohazard testing were represen-tative, as opposed to diverse. They tended to be larger and be comprised of less scientifically valuable mate-rial, such as dust and debris in the bottom of sample containers.

Allton, J.H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) Mission

The Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) mission will acquire and return to Earth for laboratory analysis a minimum of 80 grams of surface material from the nucleus of comet 67P/Chur-yumov-Gerasimenko (67P). CAESAR will characterize the surface region sampled, preserve the collected sample in a pristine state, and return evolved volatiles by capturing them in a separate gas reservoir. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center provides project management, systems engineering, safety and mission assurance, contamination control, mission operations, and many other important functions. Northrop Grumman Space Systems will build the spacecraft, based on Dawn mission heritage, which like CAESAR, uses solar electric propulsion. CAESAR was selected by for Phase A study in the New Frontiers 4 Competition and will be proposed to New Frontiers 5.Collection of a sample from the surface of comet 67P is facilitated by a set of cameras that together provide images to support sample site selection, perform optical navigation, and document the sample before, during, and after col-lection. The sample is collected at the end of an arm during a 5-second touch-and-go (TAG) maneuver with the Sample Acquisition System (SAS)designed by Honeybee Robotics for the surface properties of comet 67P observed by the Rosetta mission. After sample collection, and while the sample is still cold (< -80°C), the TAG Arm inserts the sample container into the Sample Containment System (SCS) mounted inside the Sample Return Capsule (SRC). The SCS is sealed, preventing the sample from escaping into space. The sample is slowly warmed inside the SCS to enable sublimation of volatiles, which are collected in the Gas Containment System (GCS), a passively cooled gas reservoir. Separating the volatiles from the solid sample protects the solid sample from alteration. Once all sublimated H2O is transferred to the GCS, the GCS is sealed to capture the volatile sit contains, and the SCS is vented to space to maintain the solid sample under vacuum. The SCS vent is closed before Earth entry to prevent atmospheric contamination. Detailed laboratory analyses of the sample from 67P will trace the history of volatile reservoirs, delineate the chemical pathways that led from simple interstellar species to complex molecules, constrain the evolution of the comet, and evaluate the role of comets in delivering water and prebiotic organics to the early Earth. CAESAR will achieve these goals by carrying out coordinated sample analyses that will link macroscopic properties of the comet with microscale mineralogy, chemistry, and isotopic studies of volatiles and solids. Most of the sample (≥75%) will be set aside for analyses by generations of scientists using continually advancing tools and methods, yielding an enduring scientific treasure that only sample return can provide. This presentation will review development conducted during NF4 Phase A and discuss the NF5 mission concept.

A G Hayes↗
NASA NTRS2021

The Dual-Rasp Sampling System Design with Closed Pneumatic Sample Transfer

The novel Dual-Rasp sampling system has been developed for landed missions to low gravity planetary bodies and is particularly well suited for the unique environment of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. The Dual-Rasp sampling system has two counter-rotating rasp cutters that remove material from the surface and direct it into a guide. The cuttings follow the guide into a sample collection cup. When the sampling collection completes, the tool reconfigures by rotating the guide to create a closed circuit for pneumatic sample transfer from the collection cup to science instruments on the lander. A valve opens a gas tank and the gas flows from that tank into the sample collection cup and down rigid tubing to the science instruments chamber on the lander. A two degree of freedom arm with base actuators is used to deploy the sampler and control its sampling location.

Heness, Andrew B.↗
NASA NTRS2017

The Astromaterials X-Ray Computed Tomography Laboratory at Johnson Space Center

The Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center (hereafter JSC curation) is the past, present, and future home of all of NASA's astromaterials sample collections. JSC curation currently houses all or part of nine different sample collections: (1) Apollo samples (1969), (2) Lunar samples (1972), (3) Antarctic meteorites (1976), (4) Cosmic Dust particles (1981), (5) Microparticle Impact Collection (1985), (6) Genesis solar wind atoms (2004); (7) Stardust comet Wild-2 particles (2006), (8) Stardust interstellar particles (2006), and (9) Hayabusa asteroid Itokawa particles (2010). Each sample collection is housed in a dedicated clean room, or suite of clean rooms, that is tailored to the requirements of that sample collection. Our primary goals are to maintain the long-term integrity of the samples and ensure that the samples are distributed for scientific study in a fair, timely, and responsible manner, thus maximizing the return on each sample. Part of the curation process is planning for the future, and we also perform fundamental research in advanced curation initiatives. Advanced Curation is tasked with developing procedures, technology, and data sets necessary for curating new types of sample collections, or getting new results from existing sample collections [2]. We are (and have been) planning for future curation, including cold curation, extended curation of ices and volatiles, curation of samples with special chemical considerations such as perchlorate-rich samples, and curation of organically- and biologically-sensitive samples. As part of these advanced curation efforts we are augmenting our analytical facilities as well. A micro X-Ray computed tomography (micro-XCT) laboratory dedicated to the study of astromaterials will be coming online this spring within the JSC Curation office, and we plan to add additional facilities that will enable nondestructive (or minimally-destructive) analyses of astromaterials in the near future (micro-XRF, confocal imaging Raman Spectroscopy). These facilities will be available to: (1) develop sample handling and storage techniques for future sample return missions; (2) be utilized by PET for future sample return missions; (3) be used for retroactive PET (Positron Emission Tomography)-style analyses of our existing collections; and (4) for periodic assessments of the existing sample collections. Here we describe the new micro-XCT system, as well as some of the ongoing or anticipated applications of the instrument.

Zeigler, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS2017

The Astromaterials X-Ray Computed Tomography Laboratory at Johnson Space Center

The Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center (hereafter JSC curation) is the past, present, and future home of all of NASA's astromaterials sample collections. JSC curation currently houses all or part of nine different sample collections: (1) Apollo samples (1969), (2) Lunar samples (1972), (3) Antarctic meteorites (1976), (4) Cosmic Dust particles (1981), (5) Microparticle Impact Collection (1985), (6) Genesis solar wind atoms (2004); (7) Stardust comet Wild-2 particles (2006), (8) Stardust interstellar particles (2006), and (9) Hayabusa asteroid Itokawa particles (2010). Each sample collection is housed in a dedicated clean room, or suite of clean rooms, that is tailored to the requirements of that sample collection. Our primary goals are to maintain the long-term integrity of the samples and ensure that the samples are distributed for scientific study in a fair, timely, and responsible manner, thus maximizing the return on each sample. Part of the curation process is planning for the future, and we also perform fundamental research in advanced curation initiatives. Advanced Curation is tasked with developing procedures, technology, and data sets necessary for curating new types of sample collections, or getting new results from existing sample collections [2]. We are (and have been) planning for future curation, including cold curation, extended curation of ices and volatiles, curation of samples with special chemical considerations such as perchlorate-rich samples, and curation of organically- and biologically-sensitive samples. As part of these advanced curation efforts we are augmenting our analytical facilities as well. A micro X-Ray computed tomography (micro-XCT) laboratory dedicated to the study of astromaterials will be coming online this spring within the JSC Curation office, and we plan to add additional facilities that will enable nondestructive (or minimally-destructive) analyses of astromaterials in the near future (micro-XRF, confocal imaging Raman Spectroscopy). These facilities will be available to: (1) develop sample handling and storage techniques for future sample return missions; (2) be utilized by PET for future sample return missions; (3) be used for retroactive PET (Positron Emission Tomography)-style analyses of our existing collections; and (4) for periodic assessments of the existing sample collections. Here we describe the new micro-XCT system, as well as some of the ongoing or anticipated applications of the instrument.

Zeigler, R. A.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Culture-Independent Fungal Profiling for the International Space Station using Nanopore Sequencing: Method Development

Microbial monitoring of the International Space Station (ISS) environment is a crew health requirement that encompasses both bacterial and fungal identification. To achieve this currently, culture-based methods are used for sample collection, and these samples must be returned to the laboratory for analysis. The use of culture and the need for sample return to Earth results in a bias toward culturable organisms and causes a significant delay between sample collection and delivery of final data (weeks to months), respectively. Recently, advancements in molecular technology have aided a broad range of applications, including medical, industrial, and basic sciences. Additionally, increases in portability and ease-of-use of molecular platforms have provided point-of-use capabilities demonstrated by the miniPCR thermal cycler (miniPCR bio) and the MinION sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies). Together, these devices have been applied to, and validated for, the identification of bacteria onboard the ISS. Building on this work, we have developed a spaceflight-compatible fungal workflow. Molecular-based fungal analysis is complicated by low biomass, difficult-to-lyse spores, debate regarding the region for taxonomic assignment, and the lack of bioinformatic pipelines and reference databases. To overcome these difficulties, primers yielding an ~ 2 Kb amplicon were validated against a wide range of ISS fungal isolates. The current spaceflight library preparation was substantially optimized, a bioinformatic pipeline was created, and refinements to the UNITE database were implemented. To compare this optimized method to the current culture-based standard, 30 sample sets (60 total swabs, two swabs held in tandem) were evaluated. Parallel fungal profiles were obtained between the two methods, with the culture-independent method revealing increased diversity. The addition of this method to the already established bacterial process fulfills the crew health identification requirement. Moreover, the implementation of this method onboard ISS will enhance our understanding of its unique fungal microbiome.

Hang N. Nguyen↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Metadata Entry Optimization For NASA's Biological Institutional Scientific Collection (NBISC)

The NASA Biological Institutional Sample Collection (NBISC) at NASA’s Ames Research Center is a critical resource housing non-human samples collected from spaceflight missions and ground analog studies, primarily consisting of specimens from rats, mice, and select microbes. The primary objective of NBISC is to systematically receive, document, preserve, and facilitate access to these samples for the global scientific community. NBISC promotes international collaboration and maximizes the return on investment for precious tissues from spaceflight and analog experiments. Researchers can request physical samples through an online request form and subsequent written proposal review process. This study addresses two core research objectives: streamlining the NBISC sample lifecycle processes and strategizing for managing an influx of 50,000 tissue samples from a series of cosmic radiation analog experiments carried out at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) by Drs. Eleanor Chang (Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory) and Polly Blakely (SRI). The Chang/Blakely studies investigated Harderian gland (HG) tumorigenesis in mice exposed to low dose and LET radiation comprising 8 different exposure protocols in over 4000 mice. NBISC sample metadata is stored in a Laboratory Information Management System (SLIMS). To streamline sample data entry, we customize python scripts using information extracted from the individual experimental protocols. The scripts automate entry into multiple SLIMS data fields including protocol name, unique sample barcode, tissue and sub-tissue information, freezer location, sample preservation method, etc. The semi-automated procedure significantly decreases the time spent on data entry by several orders of magnitude. Automation and data organization are essential, as they free up time for curation and promotion of the collection which, in turn, increase the accessibility of samples to the broader research community. NBISC benefits from streamlined data ingestion, and the methodologies developed here are applicable to other projects which use SLIMS including the NASA Biospecimen Sharing Program and GeneLab. As of Fall 2023, plans include transferring sample data from SLIMS to public facing repositories (OSDR and NLSP), expanding the reach of the Chang/Blakely sample collection. The Human Research Program Space Radiation Element plans to transfer non-human tissues from many more investigations to NBISC in the coming year.

Biospecimen↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Metadata Entry Optimization for NASA's Biological Institutional Scientific Collection (NBISC)

The NASA Biological Institutional Sample Collection (NBISC) at NASA’s Ames Research Center is a critical resource housing non-human samples collected from spaceflight missions and ground analog studies, primarily consisting of specimens from rats, mice, and select microbes. The primary objective of NBISC is to systematically receive, document, preserve, and facilitate access to these samples for the global scientific community. NBISC promotes international collaboration and maximizes the return on investment for precious tissues from spaceflight and analog experiments. Researchers can request physical samples through an online request form and subsequent written proposal review process. This study addresses two core research objectives: streamlining the NBISC sample lifecycle processes and strategizing for managing an influx of 50,000 tissue samples from a series of cosmic radiation analog experiments carried out at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) by Drs. Eleanor Chang (Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory) and Polly Blakely (SRI). The Chang/Blakely studies investigated Harderian gland (HG) tumorigenesis in mice exposed to low dose and LET radiation comprising 8 different exposure protocols in over 4000 mice. NBISC sample metadata is stored in a Laboratory Information Management System (SLIMS). To streamline sample data entry, we customize python scripts using information extracted from the individual experimental protocols. The scripts automate entry into multiple SLIMS data fields including protocol name, unique sample barcode, tissue and sub-tissue information, freezer location, sample preservation method, etc. The semi-automated procedure significantly decreases the time spent on data entry by several orders of magnitude. Automation and data organization are essential, as they free up time for curation and promotion of the collection which, in turn, increase the accessibility of samples to the broader research community. NBISC benefits from streamlined data ingestion, and the methodologies developed here are applicable to other projects which use SLIMS including the NASA Biospecimen Sharing Program and GeneLab. As of Fall 2023, plans include transferring sample data from SLIMS to public facing repositories (OSDR and NLSP), expanding the reach of the Chang/Blakely sample collection. The Human Research Program Space Radiation Element plans to transfer non-human tissues from many more investigations to NBISC in the coming year.

Sample Repository↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Developing a Tool to Collect Microbiological Samples in Space

We developed and tested a tool to collect aseptic samples during extravehicular activity or space walks. This tool can withstand the extreme temperature (-92 – 90 ˚C) and pressure variations without compromising the sterility of the collection device or the integrity of the sample. Results from ground testing the tool demonstrate that external surfaces of space suits are not sterile and that a wide variety of human associated bacteria and some fungi can survive at least seven hours of exposure to vacuum. These bacteria include non-spore forming organisms like Staphylococcus that are not normally considered extremophiles We plan to use this tool to characterize the exterior of the International Space Station. We expect the results of this work to guide the planetary protection requirements and contamination control strategy for crewed missions to Mars. This tool could also be used to monitor contamination associated with the Artemis missions to the moon or collect aseptic samples robotically in environments that are not suitable for human exploration.

A B Regberg↗
DOE OSTI2011

Design of an Unattended Environmental Aerosol Sampling and Analysis System for Gaseous Centrifuge Enrichment Plants

The resources of the IAEA continue to be challenged by the rapid, worldwide expansion of nuclear energy production. Gaseous centrifuge enrichment plants (GCEPs) represent an especially formidable dilemma to the application of safeguard measures, as the size and enrichment capacity of GCEPs continue to escalate. During the early part of the 1990's, the IAEA began to lay the foundation to strengthen and make cost-effective its future safeguard regime. Measures under Part II of 'Programme 93+2' specifically sanctioned access to nuclear fuel production facilities and environmental sampling by IAEA inspectors. Today, the Additional Protocol grants inspection and environmental sample collection authority to IAEA inspectors at GCEPs during announced and low frequency unannounced (LFUA) inspections. During inspections, IAEA inspectors collect environmental swipe samples that are then shipped offsite to an analytical laboratory for enrichment assay. This approach has proven to be an effective deterrence to GCEP misuse, but this method has never achieved the timeliness of detection goals set forth by IAEA. Furthermore it is questionable whether the IAEA will have the resources to even maintain pace with the expansive production capacity of the modern GCEP, let alone improve the timeliness in reaching current safeguards conclusions. New safeguards propositions, outside of familiar mainstream safeguard measures, may therefore be required that counteract the changing landscape of nuclear energy fuel production. A new concept is proposed that offers rapid, cost effective GCEP misuse detection, without increasing LFUA inspection access or introducing intrusive access demands on GCEP operations. Our approach is based on continuous onsite aerosol collection and laser enrichment analysis. This approach mitigates many of the constraints imposed by the LFUA protocol, reduces the demand for onsite sample collection and offsite analysis, and overcomes current limitations associated with the in-facility misuse detection devices. Onsite environmental sample collection offers the ability to collect fleeting uranium hexafluoride emissions before they are lost to the ventilation system or before they disperse throughout the facility, to become deposited onto surfaces that are contaminated with background and historical production material. Onsite aerosol sample collection, combined with enrichment analysis, provides the unique ability to quickly detect stepwise enrichment level changes within the facility, leading to a significant strengthening of facility misuse deterence. We report in this paper our study of several GCEP environmental sample release scenarios and simulation results of a newly designed aerosol collection and particle capture system that is fully integrated with the Laser Ablation, Absorbance Ratio Spectrometry (LAARS) uranium particle enrichment analysis instrument that was developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Strategy for Long-Term Stewardship and Monitoring of Amchitka Island - 12190

The Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance Plan (LTSMP) for Amchitka details how the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) intends to fulfill its mission to maintain protection of human health and the environment at and around the sites on Amchitka Island. The LTSMP calls for monitoring to be performed every 5 years, at least in the initial phase of the project. The purpose of the monitoring is to develop a baseline of activity concentrations for selected radionuclides in biota, water, and soil, both on Amchitka and at the reference location on Adak Island, approximately 322 km (200 miles) northeast of Amchitka. Data compiled by the Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP, 2006) are being included as part of the baseline data set. The specific biological, water, and sediment samples collected during the 2011 sampling event were developed through close coordination with the primary stakeholders, including the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the Aleutian Pribilof Island Association, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Amchitka is managed by the USFWS as part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Two plans were developed to address specific needs of the biological- and the terrestrial-monitoring programs. Results from these monitoring programs will help determine whether the environment is being impacted by radionuclide migration and uptake, and if subsistence and commercial-catch seafood is safe for human consumption. The RESRAD-BIOTA code is being used to evaluate ecological health relative to the radionuclide levels determined from this sampling event. The samples were sent to three laboratories for analysis. With the exception of the seawater samples, most of the samples were sent to the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. A smaller subset of rock-weed samples, Star reindeer lichen samples, and soil samples collected from beneath the lichen were sent to UAF for cesium-137 analysis. Marine sediment samples were also collected and sent to UAF for testing. The seawater samples were sent to the University of Miami Tritium Laboratory for enriched tritium analysis. Results from the seawater samples for tritium were received in September 2011. Results from the 2011 sampling are expected to be available on the LM web site in 2012. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS2014

Mars Sample Return Using Commercial Capabilities: Mission Architecture Overview

Mars Sample Return (MSR) is the highest priority science mission for the next decade as recommended by the recent Decadal Survey of Planetary Science. This paper presents an overview of a feasibility study for an MSR mission. The objective of the study was to determine whether emerging commercial capabilities can be used to reduce the number of mission systems and launches required to return the samples, with the goal of reducing mission cost. We report the feasibility of a complete and closed MSR mission design using the following scenario that covers three synodic launch opportunities, beginning with the 2022 opportunity: A Falcon Heavy injects a SpaceX Red Dragon capsule and trunk onto a Trans Mars Injection (TMI) trajectory. The capsule is modified to carry all the hardware needed to return samples collected on Mars including a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), an Earth Return Vehicle (ERV), and hardware to transfer a sample collected in a previously landed rover mission to the ERV. The Red Dragon descends to land on the surface of Mars using Super Sonic Retro Propulsion (SSRP). After previously collected samples are transferred to the ERV, the single-stage MAV launches the ERV from the surface of Mars. The MAV uses a storable liquid bi-propellant propulsion system to deliver the ERV to a Mars phasing orbit. After a brief phasing period, the ERV, which also uses a storable bi-propellant system, performs a Trans Earth Injection (TEI) burn. Upon arrival at Earth, the ERV performs Earth and lunar swing-bys and is placed into a lunar trailing circular orbit - an Earth orbit, at lunar distance. A later mission, using Dragon and launched by a Falcon Heavy, performs a rendezvous with the ERV in the lunar trailing orbit, retrieves the sample container and breaks the chain of contact with Mars by transferring the sample into a sterile and secure container. With the sample contained, the retrieving spacecraft makes a controlled Earth re-entry preventing any unintended release of pristine martian materials into the Earth's biosphere. The analysis methods employed standard and specialized aerospace engineering tools. Mission system elements were analyzed with either direct techniques or by using parametric mass estimating relationships (MERs). The architecture was iterated until overall mission convergence was achieved on at least one path. Subsystems analyzed in this study include support structures, power system, nose fairing, thermal insulation, actuation devices, MAV exhaust venting, and GN&C. Best practice application of loads, mass growth contingencies, and resource margins were used. For Falcon Heavy capabilities and Dragon subsystems we utilized publically available data from SpaceX, published analyses from other sources, as well as our own engineering and aerodynamic estimates. Earth Launch mass is under 11 mt, which is within the estimated capability of a Falcon Heavy, with margin. Total entry masses between 7 and 10 mt were considered with closure occurring between 9 and 10 mt. Propellant mass fractions for each major phase of the EDL - Entry, Terminal Descent, and Hazard Avoidance - have been derived. An assessment of the effect of the entry conditions on the thermal protection system (TPS), currently in use for Dragon missions, shows no significant stressors. A useful payload mass of 2.0 mt is provided and includes mass growth allowances for the MAV, the ERV, and mission unique equipment. We also report options for the MAV and ERV, including propulsion systems, crewed versus robotic retrieval mission, as well as direct Earth entry. International planetary protection policies as well as verifiable means of compliance will have a large impact on any MSR mission design. We identify areas within our architecture where such impacts occur. We also describe preliminary compliance measures that will be the subject of future work. This work shows that emerging commercial capabilities as well as new methodologies can be used to efficiently support an important planetary science objective. The work also has applications for human exploration missions that use propulsive EDL techniques

Red Dragon↗
NASA NTRS2013

Mars Sample Return Using Commercial Capabilities: Mission Architecture Overview

Mars Sample Return (MSR) is the highest priority science mission for the next decade as recommended by the recent Decadal Survey of Planetary Science. This paper presents an overview of a feasibility study for a MSR mission. The objective of the study was to determine whether emerging commercial capabilities can be used to reduce the number of mission systems and launches required to return the samples, with the goal of reducing mission cost. The major element required for the MSR mission are described and include an integration of the emerging commercial capabilities with small spacecraft design techniques; new utilizations of traditional aerospace technologies; and recent technological developments. We report the feasibility of a complete and closed MSR mission design using the following scenario that covers three synodic launch opportunities, beginning with the 2022 opportunity: A Falcon Heavy injects a SpaceX Red Dragon capsule and trunk onto a Trans Mars Injection (TMI) trajectory. The capsule is modified to carry all the hardware needed to return samples collected on Mars including a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV); an Earth Return Vehicle (ERV); and hardware to transfer a sample collected in a previously landed rover mission to the ERV. The Red Dragon descends to land on the surface of Mars using Supersonic Retro Propulsion (SRP). After previously collected samples are transferred to the ERV, the single-stage MAV launches the ERV from the surface of Mars to a Mars phasing orbit. The MAV uses a storable liquid, pump fed bi-propellant propulsion system. After a brief phasing period, the ERV, which also uses a storable bi-propellant system, performs a Trans Earth Injection (TEI) burn. Once near Earth the ERV performs Earth and lunar swing-bys and is placed into a Lunar Trailing Orbit (LTO0 - an Earth orbit, at lunar distance. A later mission, using a Dragon and launched by a Falcon Heavy, performs a rendezvous with the ERV in the lunar trailing orbit, retrieves the sample container and breaks the chain of contact with Mars by transferring the sample into a sterile and secure container. With the sample contained, the retrieving spacecraft, makes a controlled Earth re-entry preventing any unintended release of pristine Martian materials into the Earth's biosphere. Other capsule type vehicles and associated launchers may be applicable. The analysis methods employed standard and specialized aerospace engineering tools. Mission system elements were analyzed with either direct techniques or by using parametric mass estimating relationships (MERs). The architecture was iterated until overall mission convergence was achieved on at least one path. Subsystems analyzed in this study include support structures, power system, nose fairing, thermal insulation, actuation devices, MAV exhaust venting, and GN&C. Best practice application of loads, mass growth contingencies, and resource margins were used. For Falcon Heavy capabilities and Dragon subsystems we utilized publically available data from SpaceX; published analyses from other sources; as well as our own engineering and aerodynamic estimates. Earth Launch mass is under 11 mt, which is within the estimated capability of a Falcon Heavy, with margin. Total entry masses between 7 and 10 mt were considered with closure occurring between 9 and 10 mt. Propellant mass fractions for each major phase of the EDL - Entry, Terminal Descent, and Hazard Avoidance - have been derived. An assessment of the entry conditions on the thermal protection system (TPS), currently in use for Dragon missions, has been made. And shows no significant stressors. A useful mass of 2.0 mt is provided and includes mass growth allowances for the MAV, the ERV, and mission unique equipment. We also report on alternate propellant options for the MAV and options for the ERV, including propulsion systems; crewed versus robotic retrieval mission; as well as direct Earth entry. International Planetary Protection Policies as well as verifiable means of compliance will have a large impact on any MSR mission design. We identify areas within our architecture where such impacts occur. This work shows that emerging commercial capabilities can be used to effectively integrated into a mission to achieve an important planetary science objective.

Mars Sample Return↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Astromaterials X-Ray Computed Tomography Laboratory at Johnson Space Center

The Astromaterials Acquisition and Cura-tion Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center (hereafter JSC curation) is the past, present, and future home of all of NASA's astromaterials sample collections. JSC curation currently houses all or part of nine different sample collections. Our primary goals are to maintain the long-term integrity of the samples and ensure that the samples are distributed for scientific study in a fair, timely, and responsible manner, thus maximizing the return on each sample. Part of the curation process is planning for the future, thus we also perform funda-mental research in advanced curation initiatives. Ad-vanced Curation is tasked with developing procedures, technology, and data sets necessary for curating new types of sample collections, or getting new results from existing sample collections [1]. As part of these ad-vanced curation efforts we are augmenting our analyti-cal facilities.

Zeigler, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Urine sampling and collection system

This specification defines the performance and design requirements for the urine sampling and collection system engineering model and establishes requirements for its design, development, and test. The model shall provide conceptual verification of a system applicable to manned space flight which will automatically provide for collection, volume sensing, and sampling of urine.

Fogal, G. L.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Handbook: Collecting Groundwater Samples from Monitoring Wells in Frenchman Flat, CAU 98

Frenchman Flat basin on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) contains Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 98, which is comprised of ten underground nuclear test locations. Environmental management of these test locations is part of the Underground Test Area (UGTA) Activity conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) (1996, as amended) with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the State of Nevada. A Corrective Action Decision Document (CADD)/Corrective Action Plan (CAP) has been approved for CAU 98 (DOE, 2011). The CADD/CAP reports on the Corrective Action Investigation that was conducted for the CAU, which included characterization and modeling. It also presents the recommended corrective actions to address the objective of protecting human health and the environment. The recommended corrective action alternative is “Closure in Place with Modeling, Monitoring, and Institutional Controls.” The role of monitoring is to verify that Contaminants of Concern (COCs) have not exceeded the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) limits (Code of Federal Regulations, 2014) at the regulatory boundary, to ensure that institutional controls are adequate, and to monitor for changed conditions that could affect the closure conditions. The long-term closure monitoring program will be planned and implemented as part of the Closure Report stage after activities specified in the CADD/CAP are complete. Groundwater at the NNSS has been monitored for decades through a variety of programs. Current activities were recently consolidated in an NNSS Integrated Sampling Plan (DOE, 2014). Although monitoring directed by the plan is not intended to meet the FFACO long-term monitoring requirements for a CAU (which will be defined in the Closure Report), the objective to ensure public health protection is similar. It is expected that data collected in accordance with the plan will support the transition to long-term monitoring at each CAU. The sampling plan is designed to ensure that monitoring activities occur in compliance with the UGTA Quality Assurance Plan (DOE, 2012). The sampling plan should be referenced for Quality Assurance (QA) elements and procedures governing sampling activities. The NNSS Integrated Sampling Plan specifies the groundwater monitoring that will occur in CAU 98 until the long-term monitoring program is approved in the Closure Report. The plan specifies the wells that must be monitored and categorizes them by their sampling objective with the associated analytical requirements and frequency. Possible sample collection methods and required standard operating procedures are also presented. The intent of this handbook is to augment the NNSS Integrated Sampling Plan by providing well-specific details for the sampling professional implementing the Sampling Plan in CAU 98, Frenchman Flat. This handbook includes each CAU 98 well designated for sampling in the NNSS Integrated Sampling Plan. The following information is provided in the individual well sections: 1. The purpose of sampling. 2. A physical description of the well. 3. The chemical characteristics of the formation water. 4. Recommended protocols for purging and sampling. The well-specific information has been gathered from numerous historical and current sources cited in each section, but two particularly valuable resources merit special mention. These are the USGS NNSS website (http://nevada.usgs.gov/doe_nv/ntsarea5.cfm) and the UGTA Field Operations website (https://ugta.nv.doe.gov/sites/Field%20Operations/default.aspx). 2 Land surface elevation and measuring point for water level measurements in Frenchman Flat were a focus during CAU investigations (see Appendix B, Attachment 1 in Navarro-Intera, 2014). Both websites listed above provide information on the accepted datum for each well. A summary is found on the home page for the well on the USGS website. Additional information is available through a link in the “Available Data” section to an “MP diagram” with a photo annotated with the datum information. On the UGTA Field Operations well page, the same information is in the “Wellhead Diagram” link. Well RNM-2s does not have an annotated photo at this time. All of the CAU 98 monitoring wells are located within Area 5 of Frenchman Flat, with the exception of ER-11-2 in Area 11 (Figure 1). The wells are clustered in two areas: the northern area (Figure 2) and the central area (Figure 3). Each well is discussed below in geographic order from north to south as follows: ER-11-2, ER-5-3 shallow piezometer, ER-5-3-2, ER-5-5, RNM-1, RNM-2s, and UE-5n.

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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

New Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS REx Curation Facilities at Nasa Johnson Space Center

Asteroids are made up of rocky material that is left over from the formation of our solar system [1]. This material holds the key to unlocking information about the history of the planets and our sun. Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx are two sample return missions that have collected rocky material from carbonaceous asteroids which are rich in water, carbon, and organic compounds [1]. Hayabusa2 is a spacecraft that collected samples from asteroid Ryugu launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Samples were returned to Earth in December 2020 and 10 percent of the collected material is currently housed in a state-of-the-art laboratory at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) dedicated to Ryugu material [1]. OSIRIS-REx is a spacecraft launched by NASA that collected samples from asteroid Bennu. The samples are on their journey to Earth and will arrive in September 2023. They will be stored in a separate cleanroom dedicated to Bennu material. From these two missions, scientists will examine dust particles and rocky material to research clues on how the early solar system formed and how life began [2]. Because these samples are so precious and rare, it is important to keep them free from Earth contamination. In September of 2020, a massive construction project began to provide curation facilities to meet the needs of two incoming asteroid collections, Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx. Despite numerous setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic, these facilities have been completed in the fall of 2021. Some of these setbacks included strict PPE requirements, keeping safe working distances as well as access to the facilities as NASA was operating under a Stage 3 condition in response to the pandemic. These facilities will provide curation laboratories to safely house the precious asteroid samples as well as facilities to manipulate samples, do sample preparation and process samples into and out of the labs for future studies by the scientific community. The lab suite consists of several different rooms including an initial anteroom (ISO 7), a staging area (ISO 7), two gowning areas (one for OSIRIS-REx and one for Hayabusa2; both ISO 6)), the Haybusa2 Curation Laboratory (ISO 5), the OSIRIS-REx Curation Laboratory (ISO 5), an ultramicrotomy laboratory (ISO 7) and a thin section laboratory (not a cleanroom). To maintain cleanliness levels necessary for these lab spaces quarterly to monthly Balazs organic and inorganic sampling has been conducted on a regular basis before, during and after the construction project to monitor the cleanliness levels in the new labs that will house the asteroid samples. These new facilities feature a Ruuvi (Grafana) monitoring system that measures temperature, humidity, and pressure of the lab suite. This is a small puck shaped sensor that sends signals to the Grafana cloud where the data can be plotted and set up on dashboards within the lab suite. These sensors are easy to set up and install and they run off a cell battery that is good for 3-5 years before needing replacement. This system can deliver text messages and emails to the appropriate personnel when values fall outside of set limits. In addition to the monitoring system, this new lab suite features viewing windows from several different locations and sliding motion censored doors. We have obtained some state-of-the-art equipment to outfit the lab spaces (desiccators, microscopes, ultramicrotome) and are in the process of outfitting the suite with additional items such as: nitrogen gloveboxes, additional desiccators, micromanipulators, etc. The Hayabusa2 samples provided to NASA by JAXA included 23 millimeter sized grains and 4 containers with finer material. OSIRIS-REx is expected to return as much as 400 grams of asteroid Bennu. Samples will be stored in a nitrogen glove box and separated into nitrogen sealed transfer containers. Small Bennu and Ryugu particles will be handled and prepared (e.g., ultra-thin sections for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM)) using an Axis Pro micromanipulator and Leica EM UC7 ultramicrotome. Analyzing samples at the atomic scale will provide greater insight to the origins of the solar system and life formation on Earth. All the curation preparation for these sample collections is essential to ongoing research and efforts to understand our solar system, both nowand for future generations.

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