Skip to main content

Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis (2019) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

5 Current and Future Instrumentation and Investments for Extraterrestrial Sample Analysis
Pages 60-72

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 60...
... facilities and international collaborations. 5.1 OVERVIEW OF NASA FUNDING PROGRAMS RELEVANT TO RETURNED SAMPLE ANALYSIS Currently, instrumentation for analyses of extraterrestrial materials is funded through two NASA programs: Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples (LARS)
Read the entire page →
From page 61...
... Nonetheless, lunar samples make up the majority of the current collection of returned extraterrestrial samples. Further, new studies have revealed records of volatile abundances in the lunar interior that have challenged long-held paradigms about a dry Moon.
Read the entire page →
From page 62...
... Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should consider opening the Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples grant program to all mission-returned extraterrestrial samples. 5.2 CURRENT NASA PLANETARY SCIENCE INVESTMENTS This section lays out the current NASA PSD investment strategy for instrumentation, workforce development, and curation.
Read the entire page →
From page 63...
... and Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples (LARS) programs, as well as the subset of the investments spent on equipment for sample analysis, 2008-2017.
Read the entire page →
From page 64...
... Finding: A funding strategy for instrumentation for returned sample analysis will need to consider several competing demands, including maintaining and replacing existing capabilities, specifically those required for science goals of ongoing missions; advancing innovative and inventive technologies that will maximize science returns from mission-returned samples; curatorial facilities tailored to mission needs; technologies used in the study of the products of past sample return missions and relevant meteoritic, terrestrial, and experimental materials; and continuity of support for personnel with mission-critical curatorial and analytical skills. Finding: As currently formulated, NASA's investment in analytical instrumentation is inadequate to provide for replacement of existing instruments, so the analytical base for extraterrestrial samples is diminishing.
Read the entire page →
From page 65...
... The current community of highly trained scientists undertaking analyses of extraterrestrial samples are employed in diverse settings. Of the 85 individual PIs who received NASA funding via the PMEF and LARS programs to purchase equipment for extraterrestrial sample analyses over the past 10 years, 54 (64 percent)
Read the entire page →
From page 66...
... Conclusion: NASA's investment in analytical facilities could be enhanced by providing sustained funding for technical support staff, so that the analytical work undertaken by a laboratory remains focused on extra­ terrestrial sample analyses. Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should provide means for longer-term (e.g., 5-year)
Read the entire page →
From page 67...
... 5.3 FUTURE NASA PLANETARY SCIENCE INVESTMENTS 5.3.1 Instrumentation While the current suite of instrumentation available for extraterrestrial sample analyses is adequate for the task at hand (see Chapter 4) , there will be a need to access and develop different types of instruments and facilities if return of ices, gases, and additional organic matter becomes a reality.
Read the entire page →
From page 68...
... Finding: These nations have invested significantly in state-of-the art instrumentation and in developing a highly skilled workforce to carry out analyses of extraterrestrial samples. Conclusion: It would be advantageous for strategic alignment of investments in such facilities by international space agencies to maximize the availability of such facilities and, thus, the science of the returned samples.
Read the entire page →
From page 69...
... Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should continue to engage in strategic relationships with international partners to ensure that the best science possible is extracted from extraterrestrial samples with the limited resources available to all space agencies. Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should consider ways to facilitate the dissemina tion of information about present and future international, state-of-the-art facilities relevant to sample analysis.
Read the entire page →
From page 70...
... Conclusion: A highly qualified workforce that is able to perform both routine and state-of-the-art laboratory analyses, as well as develop the instruments of the future, is necessary to fulfill NASA's goals for the char acterization and analysis of future returned samples. Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should encourage principal investigators to specifi cally address in their research proposals how the work will contribute toward training future generations of laboratory-based planetary scientists.
Read the entire page →
From page 71...
... Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should increase support for Johnson Space Center to develop appropriate curatorial and characterization facilities relevant to and necessary for future sample returns of organic matter, ices, and gases. Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should accelerate planning for curation of returned martian samples, seeking partnerships with other countries, as appropriate.
Read the entire page →
From page 72...
... Conclusion: Without modest to significant increases in funding by NASA in analytical instrumentation for sample analyses, either a decrease in capacity or a reduction in future capabilities seems inevitable, as well as the inability to support highly trained technical staff, train the next generation of extra­errestrial sample t analysts and laboratory instrument developers, and begin planning for the curation and analyses of challeng ing new types of samples. Recommendation: NASA Planetary Science Division should place high priority on investment in a ­ nalytical instrumentation (including purchase, maintenance, technical oversight, and development)
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • planetary science
  • returned samples
  • sample analysis
  • nasa planetary
  • extraterrestrial sample

  • science division
  • analytical instrumentation
  • sample analyses
  • extraterrestrial samples
  • technical staff

  • return missions
  • support staff
  • lunar samples
  • organic matter
  • highly trained

  • curatorial staff
  • curatorial facilities
  • major equipment
  • returned sample
  • lunar sample

  • sample curation
  • sample returns
  • nasa centers
  • johnson space
  • space center

  • nasa funding
  • current nasa
  • space science
  • nasa johnson
  • planetary major


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.