Astronomy Cast
Astronomy Cast Ep. 707: What Goes Into A Sample Return Mission? Moon & Mars
Mon Feb 12 2024Description
Sample return missions in space exploration, including those to the Moon and Mars, are becoming more common. The Soviet Union and Apollo missions brought back rocks from the Moon, while China has successfully landed Chang'e 5 and plans to launch Chang'e 6. The American plan for Mars sample return involves the Perseverance Rover. However, there are challenges and concerns regarding collaboration, funding, and budget overruns. Despite these obstacles, there is a strong desire to retrieve rocks from Mars for study on Earth.
Insights
Sample return missions are becoming more common in space exploration
Sample return missions are seen as an exciting phase in space exploration.
The Soviet Union conducted multiple sample return missions to the Moon
The most recent lunar mission by the Soviet Union failed and crashed into the surface of the Moon.
Apollo missions involved sample return from the Moon
Human astronauts were able to disobey mission control and collect additional rocks during the Apollo missions, which led to unique scientific discoveries.
China has been conducting various missions to gather lunar samples
China has successfully landed Chang'e 5 on the moon and is preparing for future sample return missions with Chang'e 6.
The American plan for Mars sample return involves the Perseverance Rover
Perseverance will spend several years collecting high-quality samples from Mars, each with unique scientific value.
There are challenges in solving the handover of sample tubes and determining the method of sample return from Mars
The current idea is to use an ascent vehicle that will retrieve the samples and catapult them into the Martian air before igniting its motor and flying up to orbit.
Collaboration and funding issues have caused problems in the Mars sample return mission
The budget for the Mars sample return is estimated at $10 billion, which is causing concerns. Previous budget overruns have resulted in canceled missions, raising questions about the cost of obtaining Mars samples.
Despite challenges, there is a desire to retrieve rocks from Mars for study on Earth
The Chinese are expected to retrieve a sample from Mars before other nations. Other countries like JAXA (Japan) and ISRO (India) also have plans for sample return missions from celestial bodies like Phobos and the Moon.
Chapters
- Sample Return Missions in Space Exploration
- Storage and Study of Lunar Samples
- Future Sample Return Missions from the Moon and Mars
- Challenges and Desires in Obtaining Mars Samples
Sample Return Missions in Space Exploration
00:49 - 08:20
- Sample return missions are becoming more common in space exploration.
- The Soviet Union conducted multiple sample return missions to the Moon, bringing back pounds of rocks.
- The most recent lunar mission by the Soviet Union failed and crashed into the surface of the Moon.
- Going to the Moon doesn't require advanced technology, as long as you're on the near side.
- Apollo missions also involved sample return, with astronauts collecting rocks and bringing them back to Earth.
- Human beings have a natural tendency to pick up rocks, and many people have collections of rocks in their homes and cars.
Storage and Study of Lunar Samples
07:59 - 16:20
- Many people have rocks in their houses, cars, and backpacks that they collected from various places.
- The Apollo missions brought back tons of rocks from the moon and stored them for future scientific study.
- Johnson Space Flight Center has a facility where they keep these samples in nitrogen-rich atmospheres for research purposes.
- Recently, a new batch of rocks was released for researchers to study, including those who missed out on studying them during the original Apollo missions.
- Images can be reprocessed indefinitely, but processing samples is a destructive process that limits future studies.
- After the Apollo missions, there was a long gap before samples were returned from the moon again. The Soviet Luna missions were ongoing during this time and used robots for sample collection.
- Human astronauts were able to disobey mission control and collect additional rocks during the Apollo missions, which led to unique scientific discoveries.
- NASA Johnson had better facilities for storing lunar samples compared to the Soviet Union.
- The lack of long-term science coming from former Soviet Union nations may be due to inadequate ground-based facilities.
- China has been conducting various missions to test technologies and gather lunar samples. They have successfully landed Chang'e 5 on the moon and are preparing for future sample return missions with Chang'e 6.
Future Sample Return Missions from the Moon and Mars
16:00 - 23:52
- China has plans to launch Chang'e 6 in 2024, which will be another sample return mission from the moon.
- The goal is to send humans to the moon using similar technology as robotic missions.
- The American plan for Mars sample return involves the Perseverance Rover collecting samples and leaving backup samples along its route for a future mission to retrieve.
- There are challenges in solving the handover of sample tubes and determining the method of sample return from Mars.
- The current idea is to use an ascent vehicle that will retrieve the samples and catapult them into the Martian air before igniting its motor and flying up to orbit.
- Perseverance will spend several years collecting high-quality samples from Mars, each with unique scientific value.
- China's Tianwen 3 mission will involve sending a rocket, lander, rover, and possibly helicopters to collect samples from Mars.
Challenges and Desires in Obtaining Mars Samples
23:29 - 30:44
- The Mars mission involves a lander with a shovel that scoops up material and grabs rocks.
- There are plans for a rover and one or two helicopters to pick up interesting samples.
- Collaboration and funding issues have caused problems in the mission, leading to delays and changes in plans.
- The budget for the Mars sample return is estimated at $10 billion, which is causing concerns.
- Previous budget overruns have resulted in canceled missions, raising questions about the cost of obtaining Mars samples.
- Despite the challenges, there is a desire to retrieve rocks from Mars for study on Earth.
- The Chinese are expected to retrieve a sample from Mars before other nations.
- Other countries like JAXA (Japan) and ISRO (India) also have plans for sample return missions from celestial bodies like Phobos and the Moon.
- Sample return missions are seen as an exciting phase in space exploration.