Virtual Meeting: Mars Sample Return Science in Europe

Friday 20 July 2018, 10:00-17:00 (CEST)

The ESA Mars Sample Return team would like to solicit views from the European science community on priorities and interests related to science exploitation of returned samples.

Updates regarding recent planning and development for a potential Mars Sample Return campaign, with NASA and other potential partners, will be provided together with the latest thinking on possible approaches to sample science management (e.g. curation, distribution, allocation).

The goal is to gather views on several key topics to guide MSR science management planning. Topics may include:

  • Overall sample science management: Possible governance models for sample receiving, allocation, distribution and analysis that would satisfy European science community interests and priorities.
  • Potential European curation facilities: in particular understanding the need or desire for contained or uncontained sample analysis, including cost/benefit implications.
  • Participation of European scientists in MSR preparation, including in NASA Mars 2020 landing site selection.

The input received at this meeting will serve as a basis for ESA to continue discussions with NASA regarding sharing of science benefits from MSR.

A virtual meeting via Webex is envisaged, however if there is strong interest for in-person participation at ESTEC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands), arrangements could be made to host visitors. Please contact the email address below if you would prefer to attend in person.

If you would like to attend the teleconference on 20 July (10:00-17:00), please register using the below registration form and meeting connection details will be circulated to you.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, but would like to stay informed then please register. The materials that are presented will be sent to the email address that you provide, and you will be incorporated in any follow-up discussion.

Agenda

Download agenda (preliminary) [74 KB PDF]

Contact

For any queries, please contact: e.sefton-nash@cosmos.esa.int