Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the - Solar System ...

Curation
Martian samples require screening for evidence of life and for biohazards, possibly necessitating
robotic handling, temperature and atmosphere control, and strict biological isolation. They will also
require special procedures beyond those in typical biosafety facilities. For example, most biosafety
facilities maintain negative pressure, driving outside air into the facility, and only controling the air
exiting the facility. In the case of Mars samples the outside air must also be carefully controlled to
prevent contamination. No existing sample handling facility currently meets the biosafety and
environmental controls required for martian samples.
Sample Analysis
The possibility of detecting life in martian samples and the attendant risk of terrestrial
contamination require the preparation of extensive new analysis facilities, which will require a major
planning and implementation process. Instruments will need to be sterile and isolated. Some instruments
may also need environmental controls, particularly including temperature, and monitoring for gas release.
Major instrumentation may need to include mass spectrometers, and electron microscopes, and
microprobes. Significant planning is required, along with updates to the NRC’s 2002 report, The
Quarantine and Certification of Martian Samples, with specific attention to facility and handing
recommendations.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
As Mars exploration moves toward sample return, surface networks, and sophisticated in situ
analysis, it will require a suite of technology development efforts, primarily focused in the areas of
sample acquisition and handling, Mars ascent, and orbital rendezvous. Improvements in instrumentation,
ground-based infrastructure and data analysis are also critical to the long-term success of the Mars
exploration program. The highest priority recommendations for the coming decade for Mars sample
return are, sample acquisition and processing technology funding to support the MAX-C mission, and
sufficient technology development funding for the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). Future technology
development should focus on the Earth Entry Vehicle and sample containment. No technology
development is required for the 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter mission. MAX-C will rely heavily on existing
entry, descent, and landing technology and derivatives of existing remote-sensing and contact
instrumentation. The necessary investments in technology for MAX-C should focus on the continued
development of tools to effectively acquire and cache samples and on development and demonstration of
high technology readiness level sample selection instruments. (See Table 6.2)
The Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), as part of the MSR-L element is the greatest technology
challenge for this decadal period. It must survive both the landing shock and the martian surface thermal
environment. The risk of mass and cost growth must be mitigated through an early test program because
of its currently low TRL. Technology development for this element of the MSR-L mission (which is
under consideration for the following decade) should begin in this decade.
The MAX-C rover may require improvement in the entry, descent and landing precision—
landing ellipse semi-major axis reduction from 10 kilometers to 6-7 kilometers can be accomplished with
more accurate inertial measurement unit handover at separation, and the use of range, rather than velocity,
trigger for deployment of the parachute. A straightforward approach to contain and efficiently transfer
the samples from the sample acquisition device to the storage medium and its effective sealing for
planetary protection must be developed. The rover may require improvement in the on-board operations
avionics to enable faster traverse mobility, in addition to automating target approach, measurement, and
sample acquisition. If required, this technology development should begin immediately.
PREPUBLICATION COPY—SUBJECT TO FURTHER EDITORIAL CORRECTION
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