Mars Sample Return: From collection to curation of samples from a habitable world.

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Astrobiology
• Sample Curation

Background:

• NASA's Mars 2020 mission is collecting diverse geological samples from Jezero Crater.
• The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign, a NASA-ESA collaboration, will bring these samples to Earth.
• Returning samples from a potentially habitable world presents significant scientific and logistical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the infrastructure requirements for curating pristine Martian samples.
• To detail the architecture of the MSR Campaign, emphasizing planetary protection.
• To ensure the long-term scientific value and safety of returned Mars samples.

Main Methods:

• Describing the MSR Campaign architecture, focusing on sample curation infrastructure.
• Integrating planetary protection protocols throughout the sample handling process.
• Planning for sample receiving facilities (SRF) and long-term curation.

Main Results:

• The MSR Campaign requires specialized infrastructure for sample curation, processing, and allocation.
• Planetary protection is a critical, integrated component of all MSR mission phases.
• Established curation practices will enable sample safety assessment and future scientific discovery.

Conclusions:

• Successful curation of Martian samples is essential for scientific investigation and planetary protection.
• The MSR Campaign's protocols will inform future sample return missions from other celestial bodies.
• The curated sample collection will serve as a vital scientific resource for generations.