Dust blown off Mars sample return plans
Space.com: International planning is under way to reinvigorate plans for a Mars sample return mission, with researchers assessing science priorities and strategies to maximize the scientific output from such an undertaking.
Over the last several years, an armada of orbital and surface missions has revealed Mars to be surprisingly more complex than once thought, imbued with a variety of distinct environments — each of value in terms of possible scientific payback given a sample return effort.
Mars scientists, space engineers and program planners met in Albuquerque, New Mexico between April 21-23 to take part in "Ground Truth from Mars: Science Payoff from a Sample Return Mission." Discussions focused on what scientific data can be extracted from the return of Mars samples to Earth. Another major topic was the packaging, care and handling of martian materials that would be needed to ensure that the specimens offer great payoff for their potential to reveal past and present conditions on the red planet.
Over the last several years, an armada of orbital and surface missions has revealed Mars to be surprisingly more complex than once thought, imbued with a variety of distinct environments — each of value in terms of possible scientific payback given a sample return effort.
Mars scientists, space engineers and program planners met in Albuquerque, New Mexico between April 21-23 to take part in "Ground Truth from Mars: Science Payoff from a Sample Return Mission." Discussions focused on what scientific data can be extracted from the return of Mars samples to Earth. Another major topic was the packaging, care and handling of martian materials that would be needed to ensure that the specimens offer great payoff for their potential to reveal past and present conditions on the red planet.
