PLANNING FOR THE COLLECTION OF A COMPELLING SET OF MARS SAMPLES IN SUPPORT OF A POTENTIAL FUTURE MARS SAMPLE RETURN (Invited Presentation)

The Returned Sample Science Board (RSSB) was convened by NASA HQ in August, 2015 for the purpose of providing an “advocate” inside the Mars 2020 Project for the future scientists who might work on the samples to be collected by the Mars 2020 sample-caching rover,. The Board consists of 16 members, organized into two co-chairs (one of which is Hap McSween), 11 additional science team members, and three observers. In the first year of the RSSB’s existence, it has had the opportunity to advise Mars 2020 Project on the following topics:

• The maximum temperature to be experienced by the samples prior to analysis. We concluded that a desired maximum T would be 40C, and that there is potential for serious, irreversible damage for some sectors of science if the samples were heated to more than 60C.
• Strategies and priorities related to contamination knowledge.  We proposed a two-part strategy consisting of a) a system of flight witness blanks, and b) an Earth-based drilling/sampling testbed using flight-equivalent hardware
• Priorities and strategies related to the design and deployment of flight witness blanks. Two types of flight witness blanks were proposed, both of which are designed to sample volatile organic compounds and inorganic particulates that may be present after the launch and during surface operations.. The number of witness blanks and a deployment strategy were suggested.
• Priorities related to the maximum magnetic field strength to be experienced by the samples prior to analysis. Preliminary data show that the Mars 2020 rover is capable of delivering samples to the martian surface with their paleomagnetic signals intact.
• Landing sites. The RSSB is in the process of evaluating the priorities for landing sites on Mars from the point of view of sample science.

The RSSB as presently constituted is expected to work with the Mars-2020 project until the time of the selection of the Mars-2020 Participating Scientists, at which point it is expected to be re-configured.