Presentation Information
[PPS02-P21]Conceptual study of JAXA’s cold curation: Toward the Artemis mission and future sample return missions
*Seiya Kawasaki1, Toru Yada1, Takuya Ishizaki1, Rina Shimonishi1, Shion Okada1, Masanao Abe1, Tomohiro Usui1 (1.Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
Keywords:
Artemis,Cold curation,Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs),Sample return
JAXA has led the world in asteroid sample return missions through the Hayabusa and Hayabusa2 spacecraft for the past two decades (Fujiwara et al.,2006; Watanabe et al., 2019). Returned samples from these missions are curated (stored, described, managed, and distributed) for scientific investigation under the environment designed to minimize contamination, loss, and physical or chemical alteration. We developed advanced curation technologies and distributed them to the scientific communities (Yada et al., 2014; Yada et al., 2023; Tahara et al., 2025).
Future sample return missions, such as MMX and Artemis, are ongoing or planned. (Kuramoto et al., 2022). In the near future, low temperature samples, including materials from permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) at the lunar south pole by Artemis III, as well as cometary samples from the CAESAR mission, will be returned. These materials are expected to contain volatile components highly sensitive to temperature and environmental conditions, making the development of cold curation technologies essential to preserve scientific integrity under strict contamination and alteration controls.
The scientific objectives of Artemis III include 'Understanding Character and Origin of Lunar Polar Volatiles' (Weber et al., 2021). PSRs exhibit temperatures below 110 K and may contain 0.5-5.6 wt% H2O ice together with volatiles such as H2S, NH3, SO2, C2H4, and CO2 (Magana et al., 2024; Colaprete et al., 2010; Sanin et al., 2017). Appropriate handling temperatures must be determined based on the azeotropic points of volatile components (Huh et al., 2025).
Artemis aims to return ~80 kg of samples, significantly exceeding previous asteroid missions (Cohen et al., 2023). We assume about 800 g (1% of the total return) allocated to Japan based on international cooperation, samples are expected to consist mainly of anorthositic or basaltic rocks or breccias and to include regolith, rocks, and cores (Heiken et al., 1991; Korotev, 2005). Samples should be curated multiple temperatures depending on sample characteristics and scientific goals.
To achieve the cold curation, we should consider multiple technologies, especially (1)Cold curation facility, (2)Sample handling to utilize robotics and low temperature techniques, (3)Initial characterization. We are conducting a concept study on these topics based on some knowledge, for example, low temperature facilities at NIPR, Hokkaido University, JAMSTEC, cold chamber at ISAS, characteristic robotic techniques at JAXA and the University of Tokyo.
(1)Cold curation facility
A conceptual facility includes multiple temperature zones and insulation layers surrounding low temperature rooms. Minimizing heat penetration is a core challenge, requiring detailed evaluation of insulation materials, thickness, and sealing methods. The low temperature room is envisioned to be ~100 m2 with a height of ~3 m, like the Ryugu cleanroom (ISO Class 6 cleanrooms). Heat source equipment will be located on a separate floor, with the cleanroom potentially placed underground and machinery above.
(2)Sample handling to utilize the robotics and low temperature techniques
Operational challenges arise because manual operations become difficult at low temperatures. Remote handling techniques, such as linear rotary feedthroughs, motorized movable sample stages, slide tables, and single axis manipulators, are being investigated. For increased flexibility, six axis collaborative robots are also under consideration. These techniques will be incorporated into a cluster chamber system connected to multiple sub chambers operating under vacuum or high purity nitrogen environment. In that case, low temperature refrigerator, cold plate and a piezo stage will be incorporated into the system.
(3)Initial characterization
Initial description instruments, including optical microscopy, weighing systems, and visible to infrared spectrometers, must operate at low temperatures with appropriate wavelength ranges and configurations. A mass spectrometer will also be required for volatile analysis. Rather than applying uniform protocols, description methods should be selected based on scientific objectives.
In preparation for Artemis samples, we will continue discussions with relevant stakeholders and advance the development of low temperature curation technologies in collaboration with research institutions and manufacturers. Cold curation capabilities will also support future comet sample return missions and enhance existing curation facilities, contribute to planetary science and utilization of lunar resources.
Future sample return missions, such as MMX and Artemis, are ongoing or planned. (Kuramoto et al., 2022). In the near future, low temperature samples, including materials from permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) at the lunar south pole by Artemis III, as well as cometary samples from the CAESAR mission, will be returned. These materials are expected to contain volatile components highly sensitive to temperature and environmental conditions, making the development of cold curation technologies essential to preserve scientific integrity under strict contamination and alteration controls.
The scientific objectives of Artemis III include 'Understanding Character and Origin of Lunar Polar Volatiles' (Weber et al., 2021). PSRs exhibit temperatures below 110 K and may contain 0.5-5.6 wt% H2O ice together with volatiles such as H2S, NH3, SO2, C2H4, and CO2 (Magana et al., 2024; Colaprete et al., 2010; Sanin et al., 2017). Appropriate handling temperatures must be determined based on the azeotropic points of volatile components (Huh et al., 2025).
Artemis aims to return ~80 kg of samples, significantly exceeding previous asteroid missions (Cohen et al., 2023). We assume about 800 g (1% of the total return) allocated to Japan based on international cooperation, samples are expected to consist mainly of anorthositic or basaltic rocks or breccias and to include regolith, rocks, and cores (Heiken et al., 1991; Korotev, 2005). Samples should be curated multiple temperatures depending on sample characteristics and scientific goals.
To achieve the cold curation, we should consider multiple technologies, especially (1)Cold curation facility, (2)Sample handling to utilize robotics and low temperature techniques, (3)Initial characterization. We are conducting a concept study on these topics based on some knowledge, for example, low temperature facilities at NIPR, Hokkaido University, JAMSTEC, cold chamber at ISAS, characteristic robotic techniques at JAXA and the University of Tokyo.
(1)Cold curation facility
A conceptual facility includes multiple temperature zones and insulation layers surrounding low temperature rooms. Minimizing heat penetration is a core challenge, requiring detailed evaluation of insulation materials, thickness, and sealing methods. The low temperature room is envisioned to be ~100 m2 with a height of ~3 m, like the Ryugu cleanroom (ISO Class 6 cleanrooms). Heat source equipment will be located on a separate floor, with the cleanroom potentially placed underground and machinery above.
(2)Sample handling to utilize the robotics and low temperature techniques
Operational challenges arise because manual operations become difficult at low temperatures. Remote handling techniques, such as linear rotary feedthroughs, motorized movable sample stages, slide tables, and single axis manipulators, are being investigated. For increased flexibility, six axis collaborative robots are also under consideration. These techniques will be incorporated into a cluster chamber system connected to multiple sub chambers operating under vacuum or high purity nitrogen environment. In that case, low temperature refrigerator, cold plate and a piezo stage will be incorporated into the system.
(3)Initial characterization
Initial description instruments, including optical microscopy, weighing systems, and visible to infrared spectrometers, must operate at low temperatures with appropriate wavelength ranges and configurations. A mass spectrometer will also be required for volatile analysis. Rather than applying uniform protocols, description methods should be selected based on scientific objectives.
In preparation for Artemis samples, we will continue discussions with relevant stakeholders and advance the development of low temperature curation technologies in collaboration with research institutions and manufacturers. Cold curation capabilities will also support future comet sample return missions and enhance existing curation facilities, contribute to planetary science and utilization of lunar resources.