Sample Return Archives

Biomolecule Sequencer for the BEST experiment floating in front of Window 7 in the Cupola module. Earth is in the background. The Biomolecule Sequencer seeks to demonstrate, for the first time, that DNA sequencing is feasible in an orbiting spacecraft. A space-based DNA sequencer could identify microbes, diagnose diseases and understand crew member health, and potentially help detect DNA-based life elsewhere in the solar system. -- NASA iss057e000185 (10/8/2018)

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Sample Return, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors

Tricorder Tech: Unlocking the Full Potential of Nanopore Sequencing: Tips, Tricks, and Advanced Data Analysis Techniques

by Keith CowingMarch 24, 2025March 24, 2025

Editor’s note: If we aspire to mount expeditions to new worlds and then embrace the task of characterizing and quantifying whatever life forms we find, the ability to map and […]

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Lava / magma ocean / Volcanic Worlds, Microbiology & Virology, Nanotechnology & SynBio, Origin & Evolution of Life, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

Microbes in Extreme Environments: Life at the Limits and Its Biotechnological Applications

by Keith CowingMarch 21, 2025March 21, 2025

Microorganisms are found in nearly every environment on Earth, including some of the most extreme habitats where life was once thought to be impossible. These “extremophiles” thrive in conditions of […]

The ice core from the drill head. Credit©PNRA_IPEV

Analog Studies, Arctic / Antarctic / Alpine, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Icy Worlds, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography

Ice Planet Research: Antarctica’s Oldest Ice Is Heading To Europe

by Keith CowingMarch 20, 2025March 20, 2025

The oldest ice ever extracted from Antarctica is on its way to Europe, marking a major milestone in climate science. The ice cores, obtained through the Beyond EPICA – Oldest […]

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return, Status Report

Announcement of Opportunities for International Collaboration of Mars Sample Return Mission Tianwen-3

by Keith CowingMarch 12, 2025

Schedule LOI Due June 30, 2025Initial Selection July-August 2025Proposal Due September 30, 2025Confirmation October 2025 Announcement of Opportunities for International Collaboration of Mars Sample Return Mission (Tianwen-3)

Photographs of a nontronite-bearing fracture in the thin section from the rock core interior (a–c) with increasing magnification. Intensity maps of optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectra in a region highlighted with a yellow square in Fig. 2c at 1000 cm−1 (d) and 1530 cm−1(e). O-PTIR spectra from duplicate analyses of pink points in Fig.. 2(c)–(e), co-cultured cells of Nanoarchaeota strain MJ1 and Metallosphaera sp. strain MJ1HA (JCM33617) and cultured cells of Escherichia coli (NBRC13168) and LR White resin (f). Peak assignment was based on Movasaghi et al. (Reference Movasaghi, Rehman and Rehman2008) and Ellerbrock et al. (Reference Ellerbrock, Stein and Schaller2022) and references therein.-- The University of Tokyo

Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Sample Return

The Chances Of Anything Coming From Mars

by Keith CowingMarch 6, 2025

Within the next decade, space agencies plan to bring samples of rock from Mars to Earth for study. Of concern is the possibility these samples contain life, which could have […]

Images: SuperCam RMI color images showing various types of textures.

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return

Unburied Treasure: Rover Researchers Find Unexpected Minerals On Mars

by Keith CowingMarch 5, 2025March 5, 2025

Sometimes scientists must dig and work and sweat to make scientific discoveries. And sometimes a robot rolls over a rock that turns out to be a revelation.

Conferences and Meetings, Courses, Missions & Hardware, Sample Return, Space Life Science, Status Report

Small Sample Handling Workshop Now Accepting Applications

by Keith CowingFebruary 21, 2025

May 20–22, 2025Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover took this selfie in July 2024. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return

Documenting The First Mars Mission Soil Samples

by Keith CowingFebruary 7, 2025February 7, 2025

A new paper released today documents the first soil, airfall dust, and rock fragment samples collected by NASA for return from Mars. We checked in with the UNLV astrobiologist leading […]

NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of its 26th collected rock sample, “Silver Mountain,” using its onboard Sample Caching System Camera (CacheCam), located inside the rover underbelly. It looks down into the top of a sample tube to take close-up pictures of the sampled material and the tube as it’s prepared for sealing and storage. This image was acquired on Jan. 28, 2025 — sol 1401, or Martian day 1,401 of the Mars 2020 mission — at the local mean solar time of 18:49:01.-- NASA/JPL-Caltech larger image

Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Sample Return

Mars Perseverance Collects A Noachian-aged Outcrop Sample

by Keith CowingFebruary 7, 2025February 7, 2025

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover continues to live up to its name, pushing forward in search of ancient Martian secrets. Following a brief period of system verification and remote testing, […]

Gray cuttings from Curiosity's drilling into a target called "Mojave 2" are visible surrounding the sample-collection hole in this Jan. 31, 2015, image from the rover's MAHLI camera. This site in the "Pahrump Hills" outcrop provided the mission's second drilled sample of Mars' Mount Sharp.› Full image and caption Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report

Organic Matter And Biomarkers: Why Are Samples Required?

by Keith CowingFebruary 4, 2025February 4, 2025

The search for evidence of past prebiotic or biotic activity on Mars will be enhanced by the return of samples to Earth laboratories. While impressive analytical feats have been accomplished […]