Development program of a lunar and planetary geosampling device, phase 2 Final report, Oct. 1967 - Jan. 1968
Breadboard model of geological acquisition and transport device for lunar and planetary soil sampling
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Lunar and planetary instruments
Atmospheric entry sampling system, and prototype mass spectrometer for planetary atmospheric analysis
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Extraterrestrial life detection.
Sequential analyses of planetary surface sample for extraterrestrial life detection, discussing chemistry, morphology, growth and metabolism for life attributes
Young, R. S.↗
Wet chemistry instrument prototype
A wet chemistry instrument prototype for detecting amino acids in planetary soil samples was developed. The importance of amino acids and their condensation products to the development of life forms is explained. The characteristics of the instrument and the tests which were conducted to determine the materials compatibility are described. Diagrams are provided to show the construction of the instrument. Data obtained from the performance tests are reported.
Source record↗
Lunar soil and surface processes studies
Glass particles in lunar soil were characterized and compared to terrestrial analogues. In addition, useful information was obtained concerning the nature of lunar surface processes (e.g. volcanism and impact), maturity of soils and chemistry and heterogeneity of lunar surface material. It is felt, however, that the most important result of the study was that it demonstrated that the investigation of glass particles from the regolith of planetary bodies with little or no atmospheres can be a powerful method for learning about the surface processes and chemistry of planetary surfaces. Thus, the return of samples from other planetary bodies (especially the terrestrial planets and asteroids) using unmanned spacecraft is urged.
Glass, B. P.↗
A versatile system for biological and soil chemical tests on a planetary landing craft. I - Scientific objectives
We describe an approach for the remote detection and characterization of life in planetary soil samples. A mass spectrometer is used as the central sensor to monitor changes in the gas phase in eleven test cells filled with soil. Many biological assays, ranging from general 'in situ' assays to specific metabolic processes (such as photosynthesis, respiration, denitrification, etc.) can be performed by appropriate additions to the test cell via attached preloaded injector capsules. The system is also compatible with a number of chemical assays such as the analysis of atmospheric composition (both chemical and isotopic), the status of soil water, and the determination of compounds of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in the soil.
Radmer, R. J.↗
A versatile system for biological and soil chemical tests on a planetary landing craft. II - Hardware development
A system has been under development which is designed to seek remotely for clues to life in planetary soil samples. The basic approach is a set of experiments, all having a common sensor, a gas analysis mass spectrometer which monitors gas composition in the head spaces above sealed, temperature controlled soil samples. Versatility is obtained with up to three preloaded, sealed fluid injector capsules for each of eleven soil test cells. Tests results with an engineering model has demonstrated performance capability of subsystem components such as soil distribution, gas sampling valves, injector mechanisms, temperature control, and test cell seal.
Martin, J. P.↗
Solar electric propulsion for the Halley's Comet rendezvous mission - Foundation for future missions
Long range and long duration space missions require an inexpensive and powerful means of propulsion. Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) is considered in terms of cost effectiveness and its present state of the art. An ion propulsion system is described, which will employ solar collectors (preferably bi-flat) to generate an electric current to operate an ion thruster. The expulsion of mercury, and later, argon, ions will provide the impulse to move the spacecraft. SEP in the range of 18-60 kW, and spacecraft velocities of up to 30 km/s are discussed with reference to future exploratory missions, including: asteroid and comet rendezvous, Mars sample return, planetary orbiters, and out-of-the-ecliptic space flight. SEP applicability to earth-orbital missions is also discussed, with attention to its effectiveness in moving large objects, e.g., satellite power stations, from LEO to GEO.
Austin, R. E.↗
Interstellar material in the solar system
All the substance of the Earth and other terrestrial planets once existed in the form of interstellar grains and gas. A major aspect of solar system formation (and undoubtedly of star formation generally) is the complex series of processes that converted infalling interstellar grains into planets. A cryptic record of these processes is preserved in certain samples of planetary materials, such as chondritic meteorites, that were preserved in a relatively unchanged form since the beginning. It is to be expected that some of these primitive materials might contain or even consist of preserved presolar interstellar grains. The identification and study of such grains, the ancestors of our planetary system, is a matter of intense interest. Types of primitive material accessible or potentially accessible, and component of or relationship to presolar interstellar grains are discussed.
Wood, J. A.↗
Physical processes and timescales in planet and small-body accretion
A series of processes in the solar nebula transforms infallen interstellar grains into planets. Somewhat surprisingly, samples of planetary material from the very first stages of this processing and aggregration were preserved, and are accessible for study in the terrestrial laboratory. These are the chondritic meteoroids, which passed the last 4.5 Gyr safely stored in asteroids. Thermal processing of interstellar grains, sticky agglomeration of chondrules, Goldreich-Ward instability, and gravitational accretion of planetesimals into planets are discussed.
Wood, John A.↗
RTG's for space exploration at the end of the 20th century
The use of radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) as energy conversion devices for spacecraft designed for weak-sunlight environments is discussed. The two upcoming missions Galileo and Ulysses will both use general-purpose heat source RTGs. Two other missions that are planned for the mid-nineties and will carry RTGs onboard are the comet rendezvous asteroid flyby and Cassini. Another mission that might become a program start in the last decade of the 20th century is Solarprobe, which is most likely to use modular RTGs. Several other missions that are in different planning stages that are in need of RTGs to meet their power requirements are the Mars rover sample return, planetary (Mars) penetrators, microspacecraft, and the Mars Egg. All of these missions are discssed, stressing their RTG requirements.
Chmielewski, Art↗
Proceedings of a Workshop on Cosmogenic Nuclide Production Rates
Abstracts of reports from the proceedings are presented. The presentations were divided into discussion topics. The following general topic areas were used: (1) measured cosmogenic noble gas and radionuclide production rates in meteorite and planetary surface samples; (2) cross-section measurements and simulation experiments; and (3) interpretation of sample studies and simulation experiments.
Englert, Peter A. J.↗
Ultrasonic sampler and sensor platform for in-situ astrobiological exploration
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ultrasonic astrobiology USDC planetary sampling↗
Rotary Percussive Sample Acquisition Tool
As part of a potential Mars Sample Return campaign NASA is studying a sample caching mission to Mars, with a possible 2018 launch opportunity. As such, a Sample Acquisition Tool (SAT) has been developed in support of the Integrated Mars Sample Acquisition and Handling (IMSAH) architecture as it relates to the proposed Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. The tool allows for core generation and capture directly into a sample tube. In doing so, the sample tube becomes the fundamental handling element within the IMSAH sample chain reducing the risk associated with sample contamination as well as the need to handle a sample of unknown geometry. The tool's functionality was verified utilizing a proposed rock test suite that encompasses a series of rock types that have been utilized in the past to qualify Martian surface sampling hardware. The corresponding results have shown the tool can effectively generate, fracture, and capture rock cores while maintaining torque margins of no less than 50% with an average power consumption of no greater than 90W and a tool mass of less than 6kg.
Sample Acquisition and Caching (SAC)↗
Ultra-Compact Raman Spectrometer for Planetary Explorations
To develop a compact Raman spectroscopy system with features that will make it suitable for future space missions which require surface landing. Specifically, this system will be appropriate for any mission in which planetary surface samples need to be measured and analyzed.
Davis, Derek↗
A Recent Volcanic Eruption, Holuhraun, in the Central Highlands of Iceland as a Mars analog: The 2018 Field Campaign of FELDSPAR
In summer 2018, FELDSPAR conducted an analog sampling expedition to the Holuhraun volcanoin the central highlands of Iceland that erupted from August 2014 to February 2015. Holuhraun hassteep gradients within an otherwise relatively controlled region, and thus served as the primaryMars analog site for the 2018 FELDSPAR field campaign. Samples along gradients of mineralogyas measured via near-IR and visible reflectance spectroscopy, temperature as measured by an IRprobe, and physical location about the fissure (slope incline, directionality, height up the slope,etc.) were analyzed in-field with reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence, in the field labfor adenosine trisphosphate (ATP) as an indicator of metabolic activity, and after return to thehome lab for both geochemical and geophysical parameters (moisture content, grain size, X-raydiffraction) and biochemical parameters (DNA content and speciation). This abstract representsthe first report on the 2018 field campaign with initial results and interpretation. This work is part ofField Exploration and Life Detection Sampling for Planetary Analogue Research (FELDSPAR), onFacebook @FELDSPAResearch.
Volcanic↗
The New NASA Ames Infrared Optical Constant Facility. Determinations for Titan Aerosol-, and Exoplanet and Brown Dwarf Cloud Particle Analogs
Here we present a new optical constant facility developed at NASA Ames that will allow the determination of optical constants in the infrared of various materials, analogs of hazes and cloud particles in (exo)planet atmospheres and brown dwarfs. Our facility is composed of a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer continuously covering the Near-IR, mid-IR and Far-IR range (from 0.74 to 200 µm), coupled to variable angle transmittance and reflectance accessories that allow the characterization of the scattering properties of nonhomogeneous samples (laboratory planetary aerosol analogs, films, slabs of material, crystals, powders...) over a wide incidence and emittance angle range (0-90 degrees). This permits the angular light distribution in both transmission and reflection measurements to be characterized, enabling the determination of the complex indices of refraction, n and k, over the full NIR-FIR range via modeling of the laboratory observations. The resulting refractive indices are critical input parameters in radiative transfer models, exoplanet and brown dwarf cloud models, protoplanetary disk simulations and other models used for the interpretation of observational data from past, current and future (exo)planetary NASA missions. We will present preliminary data obtained on Titan aerosol analogs produced in the Titan Haze Simulation (THS) experiment on COSmIC, a unique experimental platform developed at NASA Ames that allows the simulation of Titan's complex atmospheric chemistry at Titan-like temperature (200 K). We will also introduce a new study of the optical properties of ammonium-bearing phosphates, potential cloud particles forming in temperate exoplanets and brown dwarfs.
Planetary Science↗
Enabling Planetary In-Situ and Sample Return Missions: NASA Developed 3-D Woven Thermal Protection / Heatshield Technology for Extreme Entry Environment
Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET) and 3-D Mid-Density Carbon-Phenolic (3MDCP) are two variants of 3-D Woven. TPS funded by STMD and SMD. HEEET was matured to TRL 6 in 2019, and SMD offered it as incentivized technology. Mars Sample Return Earth Entry System has baselined a seamless 3MDCP heatshield, and it will reach TRL 6 by 2025. HEEET and 3MDCP have been tested to withstand entry peak heat-flux ~ 4500 W/sq.cm, pressure ~ 6.5 atm, and shear ~ 4000 Pa. Bally Ribbon Mills and T.E.A.M. Inc developed looms and demonstrated their capability to weave HEEET and 3MDCP respectively. F.M.I. has demonstrated capability to form and resin infuse the preforms, and machine the TPS for final assembly. Expertise to integrate the parts reside at NASA, and NASA can transfer the knowhow to interested parties via technology transfer.
Ethiraj Venkatapathy↗