Skip to main content

Questions tagged [sample-return]

Mission to some extraterrestrial object which results in return of materials to Earth for further examination.

5 questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
7 votes
0 answers
113 views

Does Chang'e 6 try to avoid sampling contaminated soil?

Watching this amazing video of Chang'e 6 taking samples from the Apollo Crater on the far side of the Moon, I was struck by the proximity of the sample channels to the lander. It's understandable ...
Dave Gremlin's user avatar
  • 3,083
6 votes
0 answers
180 views

How could a minimal sample return only from the plumes of an ice moon, Ceres or Io be designed?

Would it be feasible and would it make sense to minimalistically design a sample-return-only mission (or class of missions) along these lines: Light weight plume collecting aerogel (like the Stardust ...
LocalFluff's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
36 views

Are the Perseverance core samples extracted from the drill bit before being stored?

Among other tasks, the Perseverance rover will drill core samples of rocks, which are then stored in sample tubes for their return to Earth. Are the core samples removed from the drill bit before ...
DrSheldon's user avatar
  • 48.1k
3 votes
0 answers
120 views

Obtaining Europa's samples from Callisto. Possible to identify them? Worthwhile?

A lot has been discussed about the possibility of panspermia between Earth and Mars, and how compact systems such as Trappist-1 can be more prone to that. Here on Earth, we have identified numerous ...
Venus was her name's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
56 views

Are there plans to return empty sample containers as an experimental control?

The Perseverance rover contains 43 sample tubes for collecting Martian soil and rock samples that will eventually be returned to Earth. The tubes have been extensively cleaned, so their contents ...
DrSheldon's user avatar
  • 48.1k