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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25312.
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A

Statement of Task

To prepare for the analysis of diverse extraterrestrial samples in the coming decade, NASA requires information on the current capabilities of the planetary science community’s analytical laboratory facilities, their future requirements, and any associated challenges. Therefore, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will assemble a committee to perform a study addressing the following questions:

  • What laboratory analytical capabilities are required to support the NASA Planetary Science Division’s (and partners’) analysis and curation of existing and future extraterrestrial samples?
    • Which of these capabilities currently exist, and where are they located (including international partner facilities)?
    • What existing capabilities are not currently accessible that are/will be needed?
  • Whether the current sample laboratory support infrastructure and NASA’s investment strategy meet the analytical requirements in support of current and future decadal planetary missions.
  • How can NASA ensure that the science community can stay abreast of evolving techniques and be at the forefront of extraterrestrial sample analysis?
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25312.
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The United States possesses a treasure-trove of extraterrestrial samples that were returned to Earth via space missions over the past four decades. Analyses of these previously returned samples have led to major breakthroughs in the understanding of the age, composition, and origin of the solar system. Having the instrumentation, facilities and qualified personnel to undertake analyses of returned samples, especially from missions that take up to a decade or longer from launch to return, is thus of paramount importance if the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is to capitalize fully on the investment made in these missions, and to achieve the full scientific impact afforded by these extraordinary samples. Planetary science may be entering a new golden era of extraterrestrial sample return; now is the time to assess how prepared the scientific community is to take advantage of these opportunities.

Strategic Investments in Instrumentation and Facilities for Extraterrestrial Sample Curation and Analysis assesses the current capabilities within the planetary science community for sample return analyses and curation, and what capabilities are currently missing that will be needed for future sample return missions. This report evaluates whether current laboratory support infrastructure and NASA's investment strategy is adequate to meet these analytical challenges and advises how the community can keep abreast of evolving and new techniques in order to stay at the forefront of extraterrestrial sample analysis.

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