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Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 4)
The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Mars Returned Sample Handling (MRSH) task is developing key technologies to remove gas and solid samples collected within Returnable Sample Tube Assemblies (RSTAs) by the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover and returned to Earth as part of the proposed Mars Sample Return Campaign. This includes technologies to deintegrate the Earth Entry System (EES) containing an Orbiting Sample (OS) container, deintegrate the OS containing up to 30 RSTA sample tubes, enclose the RSTAs within a sealed secondary container for protection during handling operations and pre-basic characterization studies, extract gas stored within the tubes, extract solid samples stored within the tubes, and transfer the solid samples into a Core Dissection Tray Container (CDTC) for sample processing, examination, safety assessment, and storage.
A preliminary concept for support equipment and procedures was defined for deintegrating the EES and OS. Concepts were developed for a secondary seal composed of the Secondary Outer Containment Case (SOCC) to provide a redundant hermetic seal external of the RSTA hermetic seal to mitigate risk of additional gas sample loss and ensure containment of unsterilized Martian material, as well as a Sample Tube Isolation Container (STIC) to isolate the RSTA and provide a second layer of containment to allow the RSTA to be removed from the isolator for XCT and magnetometry. A Mechanized Puncture Assembly (MPA) was designed to puncture the RSTA to provides a means for pulling the trapped head gas out of the RSTA for future scientific study. A solid sample removal system was developed through the design of three assemblies: A Machining System (MS) to shape the RSTA sample tube to prepare the tube for puncture and cutting, a Rotary Inline Severer (RIS) to removes the ends of the tube and caps off the cut ends, and a Linear Actuation Sample Transfer (LAST) mechanism to transfer the solid sample material from the cut tube into a Core Dissection Tray Container (CDTC). A Handling System composed of a robotic manipulator with an end effector was defined to remotely manipulate and pass the RSTAs through the various sample processing stations within the isolator. Initial tests were performed on testbeds to demonstrate SOCC application, tube puncture, tube cutting, and sample transfer from the sample tube to a Core Dissection Tray Container (CDTC).
This task is developing key technologies needed for pristine sample handling of returned Martian samples performed in double-walled isolation cabinets in a Sample Receiving Facility (SRF). This includes technology demonstrated to contain the Returnable Sample Tube Assembly (RSTA) within a sealed secondary container for protection during handling operations and pre-basic characterization studies, puncture the back of the RSTA to create an isolated line for gas extraction, cut the ends off the RSTA to allow for sample removal, and transfer of core samples from the RSTA into a Core Dissection Tray Container (CDTC) for sample processing, examination, safety assessment, and storage. The task was initiated in FY22 to capture key expertise and residual material from the Mars 2020 mission development. With the establishment of a Sample Receiving Project (SRP), after FY24 further development will be conducted under SRP.
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