AbstractA Mars sample return (MSR) mission must deal with two new categories of planetary protection requirements: (1) assuring a very low probability of inadvertent release of the sample in order to provide extra protection against the extremely unlikely possibility of biological hazards in the returned material and (2) keeping the samples free of round-trip Earth organisms to facilitate confirmation of safety after return to Earth. This paper describes the planetary-protection-related technical challenges awaiting an MSR mission as well as the range of capabilities being developed to meet these challenges. Containment assurance requires breaking the chain of contact with Mars: the exterior of the sample container must not be contaminated with Mars material. The sample container and its seals must be designed to survive Earth impacts corresponding to the candidate mission profiles, and the Earth entry vehicle must be designed to withstand the thermal and structural rigors of Earth atmosphere entry (all with an unprecedented degree of confidence). Sample contamination must be avoided by sterilizing the entire spacecraft, a challenge with modern avionics, or by sterilizing the sample collection and containment gear and then isolating it from other parts of the spacecraft.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Planetary protection for Mars sample return


    Contributors:
    Gershman, R. (author) / Adams, M. (author) / Mattingly, R. (author) / Rohatgi, N. (author) / Corliss, J. (author) / Dillman, R. (author) / Fragola, J. (author) / Minarick, J. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 34 , 11 ; 2328-2337


    Publication date :

    2003-09-17


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Planetary protection and Mars sample return

    Bridges, J C | Online Contents | 2011


    Planetary protection for Mars sample return

    Gershman, R. / Adams, M. / Mattingly, R. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2004


    Planetary protection for Mars sample return

    Gershman, R. | Online Contents | 2004


    Planetary Protection and Mars Sample Return

    Bridges, J C / Guest, M | SAGE Publications | 2011


    Planetary Protection Technology for Mars Sample Return

    Gershman, R. / Adams, M. / Dillman, R. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005