Concept for a Moon and Asteroid Sample Return Facility
- Paper number
IAC-13,D3,2,4,x16967
- Author
Dr. Lucy Berthoud, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. John Vrublevskis, Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Mike Guest, Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Ms. Hilde Schroeven-Deceuninck, ESA Harwell Centre, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Monica Grady, Open University, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Caroline Smith, Natural History Museum, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Mark Sephton, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Mark Sims, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. John Bridges, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Allan Bennett, Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Robert Baker, Strategic and Technical Consulting, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Alistair Pope, M+W UK, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Brian Crook, Health and Safety Laboratory, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Charles Taylor, M+W UK, United Kingdom
- Year
2013
- Abstract
The objective of this European Space Agency funded study was to examine an initial concept and requirements for a Lunar and Asteroid Receiving Facility (LaARF). Then to investigate the evolution from a facility dealing with only Moon and asteroid returned sample material to a facility dealing with Mars returned sample material with potential biohazard. The LaARF concept and requirements were broadly derived from requirements including Infrastructure, Equipment, People & Knowledge. The facility concept was required to deal with samples from a number of possible missions returning from Asteroids or the Lunar surface. A number of past and planned missions were outlined to draw both general features that can be used to develop the concept, and more importantly to derive the range of likely hardware / samples to be handled by the facility. Requirements for the general sample quantity and make-up expected were given, specifically; the facility will be able to accommodate 500g of samples comprising dust, grains and rocks of varying composition and sizes. The initial concept was evolved using review of literature and inputs from a dedicated Concept Definition Workshop involving scientific and industry experts. A functional architecture was established and technologies & techniques were assessed. It was recognised that tele-operations are especially needed. Information flow through the facility was analysed. Commonality with a Mars Sample Receiving Facility (MSRF) was assessed and possible evolutions to a MSRF were considered. Then Scenario Definition Workshops were held with leading scientists and industry experts to determine the optimal scenario to evolve the LaARF to an MSRF. The result of this analysis was that independent facilities without ‘future-proofing’ prior to expansion were the optimal solution. This approach maximised the potential future capability in a cost-efficient manner. Finally, analysis of potential users for the facility showed that Planetary Protection (PP) Hardware Samples, Meteorites & planetary analogues were the most promising users for a shared facility. In addition non-space samples, such as those from widely dispersed geological collections, may also benefit from the facility.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-13,D3,2,4,x16967.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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