A5055364462- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods
- Space exploration and regulation
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Groundwater flow and contamination studies
- Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Wastewater Treatment and Nitrogen Removal
- Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction
- Electrodeposition and Electroless Coatings
- Electrokinetic Soil Remediation Techniques
- Radioactivity and Radon Measurements
Johnson Space Center
2018-2024
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2020-2023
Colorado School of Mines
2022
Oregon State University
2022
Bridge University
2022
University of Calgary
2022
ExxonMobil (Qatar)
2012
United States Geological Survey
2011
Pennsylvania State University
2011
Abstract Just as geological samples from Earth record the natural history of our planet, astromaterials hold solar system and beyond. Astromaterials acquisition curation practices have direct consequences on contamination levels hence types questions that can be answered about degree precision expected those answers. Advanced was developed a cross-disciplinary field to improve in existing collections for future sample return activities, including meteorite cosmic dust are collected Earth....
The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign must meet a series of scientific and technical achievements to be successful. While the respective engineering responsibilities retrieve samples have been formalized through Memorandum Understanding between ESA NASA, roles elements yet fully defined. In April 2020, NASA jointly chartered MSR Science Planning Group 2 (MSPG2) build upon previous planning efforts in defining 1) an end-to-end Program 2) needed functionalities design requirements for...
The surface conditions on most of the lunar are incredibly harsh for survival microbial life. Combinations high doses ultraviolet radiation, temperatures, and energetic particle radiation likely to limit over unprotected surfaces Moon. This is particularly true in equatorial regions, where all previous crewed exploration Moon has taken place. However, whether these as widespread at latitude regions such poles not been examined while considering effect topography.  Comparing...
Introduction Bacteria are frequently isolated from surfaces in cleanrooms, where astromaterials curated, at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC). Bacillus species of particular interest because endospores can endure extreme conditions. Current monitoring programs JSC rely on culturing microbes swabs followed by identification 16S rRNA sequencing and the VITEK 2 Compact bacterial system. These methods have limited power to resolve species. Whole genome (WGS) is current standard for but...
The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign represents one of the most ambitious scientific endeavors ever undertaken. Analyses martian samples would offer unique science benefits that cannot be attained through orbital or landed missions rely only on remote sensing and
The concept of a nonreactive or conservative tracer, commonly invoked in investigations solute transport, requires additional study the context electrical geophysical monitoring. Tracers that are considered may undergo reactive processes, such as ion exchange, thus changing aqueous composition system. As result, measured conductivity reflect not only transport but also processes. We have evaluated impacts exchange reactions, rate-limited mass transfer, and surface conduction on quantifying...
As focus for exploration of Mars transitions from current robotic explorers to development crewed missions, it remains important protect the integrity scientific investigations at Mars, as well Earth's biosphere any potential harmful effects returned martian material. This is discipline planetary protection, and Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) maintains consensus international policy guidelines how this implemented. Based National Aeronautics Administration (NASA) European Agency (ESA)...
Although changes in bulk electrical conductivity ( σ b ) aquifers have been attributed to microbial activity, has never used infer biogeochemical reaction rates quantitatively. To explore the use of measure rates, we conducted iron oxide reduction experiments increasing biological complexity. quantify propose composite reactions that incorporate stoichiometry five different types reactions: redox, acid‐base, sorption, dissolution/precipitation, and biosynthesis. In batch early stages a...
Samples returned from Mars would be placed under quarantine at a Sample Receiving Facility (SRF) until they are considered safe to release other laboratories for further study. The process of determining whether samples release, which may involve detailed analysis and/or sterilization, is expected take several months. However, the breaking sample tube seal and extracting headspace gas will perturb local equilibrium conditions between rock set in motion irreversible processes that proceed as...
The most important single element of the "ground system" portion a Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign is facility referred to as Receiving Facility (SRF), which would need be designed and equipped receive returned spacecraft, extract open sealed sample container, samples from tubes, implement set evaluations analyses samples. One main findings first MSR Planning Group (MSPG, 2019a) states that "The scientific community, for reasons quality, cost, timeliness, strongly prefers many...
Dust transported in the martian atmosphere is of intrinsic scientific interest and has relevance for planning human missions future. The MSR Campaign, as currently designed, presents an important opportunity to return serendipitous, airfall dust. tubes containing samples collected by Perseverance rover would be placed cache depots on surface perhaps early 2023–24 recovery a subsequent mission no earlier than 2028–29, possibly late 2030–31. Thus, sample tube surfaces could passively collect...
The NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign seeks to establish whether life on existed where and when environmental conditions allowed. Laboratory measurements the returned samples are useful if what is measured evidence of phenomena rather than effects sterilization conditions. This report establishes that there categories can be fruitful despite sample other cannot. Sterilization kills living microorganisms inactivates complex biological structures by breaking chemical bonds. has...
Background Crewed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions to other solar system bodies are currently being planned. One high-profile scientific focus during such expeditions would be life detection, specifically the discovery of past or present microbial life, if they exist. However, both humans associated objects typically carry a high burden. Thus, it is essential distinguish between microbes brought with expedition those on exploring planets. Modern spacesuits...
To characterize the ATLO (Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations) environment of OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, we analyzed 17 aluminum witness foils two blanks for bacterial, archaeal, fungal, arthropod DNA. Under NASA's Planetary Protection guidelines, is a Category II outbound, V unrestricted sample return mission. As result, it has no bioburden restrictions. However, mission does have strict organic contamination requirements to achieve its primary objective returning pristine carbonaceous...
Tracer tests are frequently used in hydrogeology to quantify subsurface processes. These tracers assumed travel conservatively with groundwater; however, this assumption requires additional study the context of electrical geophysical monitoring. Tracers may undergo reactive processes, such as ion exchange, thus changing aqueous composition system, and consequently fluid bulk conductivity. As a result, measured conductivity not only reflect solely solute transport but also Here, we evaluate...
Abstract Background. Crewed NASA missions to other solar system bodies are currently being planned. One high-profile scientific focus during such expeditions would be life detection, specifically the discovery of past or present microbial life, if they exist. However, both humans and associated objects typically carry a high burden. Thus, it is essential distinguish between microbes brought with expedition those on exploring planets. Modern spacesuits unique, customized spacecraft which...
Advanced curation is a cross-disciplinary field of research and development aiming to improve sample acquisition practices in existing astromaterials collections enable future return activities.The primary result advanced both reduce quantify contamination preserve the scientific integrity all samples from mission inception analysis.Over next decade, NASA should support monitoring efforts as they pertain improving our current preparing for activities.We highlight here five activities...