Planning for Mars Returned Sample Science: Final Report of the MSR End-to-End International Science Analysis Group (E2E-iSAG)

McLennan, Scott M.; Sephton, Mark A.; Allen, Carlton C.; Allwood, Abigail; Barbieri, Roberto; Beaty, D. W.; Boston, Penelope J.; Grant, J. A.; Herd, Christopher D. K.; Mangold, N.; King, P. L.

doi:10.1089/ast.2011.0805

Cited by 58 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 204 publications

(244 reference statements)

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“…Figure 4 illustrates an example application of the triage operation on a subset of the samples used in this study, where resource limitations require that candidate samples are eliminated at each phase. In analogy to a Mars sample return mission, the priority would be to detect evidence of past or present life (McLennan et al, 2012 ). To this end, the correctness of the sample ranking process was evident during the very first triage step using single-step pyrolysis-FTIR at 1000°C where the highest-priority samples were correctly ranked ( Table 3 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A ttempts to discover whether life exists or has previously existed on Mars have not yet been conclusive. To seek greater certainty when reading the rock record of habitability and habitation on Mars, mission concepts are being proposed that involve the return of samples to Earth (McLennan et al, 2012 ). Once on Earth, samples of Mars can be distributed to multiple laboratories that host the most powerful analytical techniques available.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Environments on Mars that are believed to have been wet (Carr, 1996 ) are the primary locations for life searches (McLennan et al, 2012 ). Sedimentary features imply the presence of liquid water to produce alluvial fans (Malin and Edgett, 2000 ), distributary fans (Malin and Edgett, 2003 ; Bhattacharya et al, 2005 ; Lewis et al, 2008 ), and paleolakes (Irwin et al, 2005 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Method for Choosing the Best Samples for Mars Sample Return

Gordon

Sephton

2018

Astrobiology

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Success of a future Mars Sample Return mission will depend on the correct choice of samples. Pyrolysis-FTIR can be employed as a triage instrument for Mars Sample Return. The technique can thermally dissociate minerals and organic matter for detection. Identification of certain mineral types can determine the habitability of the depositional environment, past or present, while detection of organic matter may suggest past or present habitation. In Mars' history, the Theiikian era represents an attractive target for life search missions and the acquisition of samples. The acidic and increasingly dry Theiikian may have been habitable and followed a lengthy neutral and wet period in Mars' history during which life could have originated and proliferated to achieve relatively abundant levels of biomass with a wide distribution. Moreover, the sulfate minerals produced in the Theiikian are also known to be good preservers of organic matter. We have used pyrolysis-FTIR and samples from a Mars analog ferrous acid stream with a thriving ecosystem to test the triage concept. Pyrolysis-FTIR identified those samples with the greatest probability of habitability and habitation. A three-tier scoring system was developed based on the detection of (i) organic signals, (ii) carbon dioxide and water, and (iii) sulfur dioxide. The presence of each component was given a score of A, B, or C depending on whether the substance had been detected, tentatively detected, or not detected, respectively. Single-step (for greatest possible sensitivity) or multistep (for more diagnostic data) pyrolysis-FTIR methods informed the assignments. The system allowed the highest-priority samples to be categorized as AAA (or A*AA if the organic signal was complex), while the lowest-priority samples could be categorized as CCC. Our methods provide a mechanism with which to rank samples and identify those that should take the highest priority for return to Earth during a Mars Sample Return mission. Key Words: Mars—Astrobiology—Search for Mars' organics—Infrared spectroscopy—Planetary habitability and biosignatures. Astrobiology 18, 556–570.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Method for Choosing the Best Samples for Mars Sample Return

Gordon

Sephton

2018

Astrobiology

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“…The vast majority of them come from orbiters; some come from landers and rovers. They contain various geological units and structures from sedimentary, volcanic, tectonic, and impact origin gathered from the United States Geological Survey maps of Mars (Tanaka et al, 2005(Tanaka et al, , 2014, the NASA/International Cartographic Association (ICA) Integrated Database of Planetary Features (Hargitai, 2016; more information on the data and their authors can be found at planetarydatabase.wordpress.com), the NASA Mars Crater Database (Robbins & Hynek, 2012), and individual sources (Bleacher et al, 2007(Bleacher et al, , 2009Carter et al, 2013;Dohm et al, 2000;Ehlmann & Edwards, 2014;Farmer, 1996;Hauber et al, 2013;Hynek et al, 2010;Irwin & Grant, 2009;Malin & Edgett, 2000;Malin et al, 2010;Marzo et al, 2010;Metz et al, 2009;Osterloo et al, 2010;Richardson et al, 2013). Among these sites, the geological units do not necessarily contain any interesting targets, because some correspond to a mixture of undifferentiated rocks at the considered resolution and others stand in dusty areas.…”

Section: Data Types and Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Computer‐Aided Exploration of the Martian Geology

Rongier

Pankratius

2018

Earth and Space Science

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Motivated by growing amounts of data and enhanced resolution from orbiters and rovers, systems for computer-aided decision support are becoming invaluable in planetary exploration. This article illustrates the value of such systems for a case study on the exploration of the Martian geology, along with improvements in assessing the favorability for landing. Under the current technical status quo for landing and rover's mobility, results show that Eastern Margaritifer Terra and Meridiani Planum stand out due to their high density of scientific targets and flat surfaces. However, our approach allows us to scale the analysis using different scenarios for the entire planet, quantifying the substantial benefits should higher landing elevations and higher rover speeds be realized in the future. This analysis offers new insights into the interplay of technical and scientific constraints.

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“…A future Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission would aim to utilize the unrestricted investigative potential of Earth-based instrument suites to provide further insight into the question of martian life (McLennan et al , 2012). The requirements of the MSR in situ mission phase would differ from those on previous Mars missions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic Matter Detection on Mars by Pyrolysis-FTIR: An Analysis of Sensitivity and Mineral Matrix Effects

Gordon

Sephton

2016

Astrobiology

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Returning samples from Mars will require an effective method to assess and select the highest-priority geological materials. The ideal instrument for sample triage would be simple in operation, limited in its demand for resources, and rich in produced diagnostic information. Pyrolysis–Fourier infrared spectroscopy (pyrolysis-FTIR) is a potentially attractive triage instrument that considers both the past habitability of the sample depositional environment and the presence of organic matter that may reflect actual habitation. An important consideration for triage protocols is the sensitivity of the instrumental method. Experimental data indicate pyrolysis-FTIR sensitivities for organic matter at the tens of parts per million level. The mineral matrix in which the organic matter is hosted also has an influence on organic detection. To provide an insight into matrix effects, we mixed well-characterized organic matter with a variety of dry minerals, to represent the various inorganic matrices of Mars samples, prior to analysis. During pyrolysis-FTIR, serpentinites analogous to those on Mars indicative of the Phyllocian Era led to no negative effects on organic matter detection; sulfates analogous to those of the Theiikian Era led, in some instances, to the combustion of organic matter; and palagonites, which may represent samples from the Siderikian Era, led, in some instances, to the chlorination of organic matter. Any negative consequences brought about by these mineral effects can be mitigated by the correct choice of thermal extraction temperature. Our results offer an improved understanding of how pyrolysis-FTIR can perform during sample triage on Mars. Key Words: Mars—Life-detection instruments—Search for Mars’ organics—Biosignatures. Astrobiology 16, 831–845.

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Planning for Mars Returned Sample Science: Final Report of the MSR End-to-End International Science Analysis Group (E2E-iSAG)

Cited by 58 publications

References 204 publications

A Method for Choosing the Best Samples for Mars Sample Return

A Method for Choosing the Best Samples for Mars Sample Return

Computer‐Aided Exploration of the Martian Geology

Organic Matter Detection on Mars by Pyrolysis-FTIR: An Analysis of Sensitivity and Mineral Matrix Effects

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