An Analogue Mission in Support of MoonRise and Other Sample Return Missions to the South Pole–Aitken basin

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Author Names and Affiliations

First Name:

Gordon R.

Last Name:

Osinski

Institution:

University of Western Ontario

Co-authors:

T. Barfoot, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, University of Toronto, Canada

Co-authors:

B.L.Jolliff, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, USA

Co-authors:

I. Antonenko, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Co-authors:

M. Daly, Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering, York University, Canada

Co-authors:

L. Ferriere, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Co-authors:

R. Flemming, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Co-authors:

R.A.F. Grieve, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Co-authors:

N. Ghafoor, MDA Space Robotics, Canada

Co-authors:

K.V. Hodges, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, USA

Co-authors:

M. Hussein, Optech Inc., Canada

Co-authors:

C. Otto, JSC NASA, USA

Co-authors:

P. Sylvester, Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University, Canada

Co-authors:

P. Stook, Department of Geography/Physics and Astronomy, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Co-authors:

L. Tornabene, Lunar and Planetary Lab, University of Arizona, USA

The return of samples from the South Pole–Aitken (SPA) basin on the Moon is a high priority target for the Canadian, U.S., and international scientific communities. In particular, determining the age of SPA is critical for understanding the bombardment history of the inner solar system. We plan to carry out a series of analogue missions – with funding from the Canadian Space Agency – in order to prepare for future SPA sample return missions. The main scenario is a robotic sample return mission to SPA. This is a priority for lunar science and is the goal of MoonRise, a New Frontiers mission concept currently in a Phase A concept study.

Through an advanced site selection process we have identified the Mistastin impact structure, Canada, and the Ries impact structure, Germany, as the targets for this analogue mission. The main scientific objectives are to further the understanding of impact chronology, shock processes, impact ejecta, and the resource potential of impact craters. Of particular relevance to MoonRise are sub-objectives that aim to develop and refine mapping, sampling, and analytical techniques/protocols for identifying and sampling impact melt; and understand how impact melt is emplaced and distributed within and around an impact crater.

Presenter Information

First Name:

Gordon

Last Name:

Osinski

Affiliation:

University of Western Ontario