Presentation Information
[PPS03-P12]Extraterrestrial sample curation at JAXA: Handling fine particles and powders from small bodies
*Ryota Fukai1, Masahiro Nishimura1, Kanako Sakamoto1, Toru Yada1, Masanao Abe1, Tatsuaki Okada1, Tomohiro Usui1, Ryosuke Sakurai1 (1.Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)
Keywords:
Curation,Sample return
The sample-return mission is an important step in exploring the Solar System. It will create opportunities for new discoveries in planetary science. Sample curation includes the process of managing scientific achievements in sample science by allocating samples to the community. At JAXA's curation facility, three asteroidal samples from Itokawa, Ryugu, and Bennu are stored. We also plan to receive regolith samples from Phobos, which will be returned by the MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) spacecraft. Since the curation of the Itokawa samples, the need to handle fine returned particles and has re-emerged. First, NASA-allocated Bennu samples include fine grains (<100 μm) from the contact pad, which are intended to adhere to most surface grains of the Bennu asteroid. In addition to handling fine particles, powders composed of fine particles need to be curated. The Ryugu Reference Project (RRP), which aims to create an international reference for elemental abundances in the Solar System using Ryugu samples (https://curation.isas.jaxa.jp/rrp/), targets aggregate samples from Ryugu. These grains will be ground into a powder to homogenize their chemical composition. Finally, the average grain size of regolith on Phobos is estimated to be several hundred micrometers. In this presentation, we will talk about the sample curation activity at JAXA, with a focus on fine (submicron to submillimeter) particle and powder samples.
As part of the RRP activities, JAXA curation considers the best way to pulverize 100–1000 mg of Ryugu samples (Yokoyama et al., 2025 Geochem. J.). We tested powdering the meteorite samples using a mortar–pestle and a glass vial–rod. Both methods achieved powder recovery yields exceeding 95% and low metal element blank levels from tools under atmospheric conditions. However, the recovery yields decreased at the purified nitrogen conditions. This may occur due to electrostatic effects in a dry environment. To prevent sample scattering due to electrostatic effects, the UV source was introduced into the glovebox. In addition, polishing or blasting changes the micro-texture of the sample container surface, which may reduce adhesion of these fine powders during transport. These experiments will also help to operate fine Phobos samples within the clean chamber expected in 2031.
Bulk Bennu samples and part of the grain-scale samples were characterized using instruments equipped with a clean chamber (Fukai et al., 2025 MaPS). The samples were allocated to the community via Announcement of Opportunity (AO) and to the Ryugu Comparative Study (RCS) team. The tiny Bennu grains (10–100 μm) were picked up from the contact pad (ORX-09000) using a micro-tweezer (Tahara et al., 2025 MaPS). These samples were catalogued (ORX-00001 to -00010) in the Bennu Sample Database (https://darts.isas.jaxa.jp/app/curation/bennu/). A portion of the samples was also allocated to the "sand" sub-team of the RCS team to conduct comparative studies of space weathering effects between the Ryugu and Bennu asteroids.
As part of the RRP activities, JAXA curation considers the best way to pulverize 100–1000 mg of Ryugu samples (Yokoyama et al., 2025 Geochem. J.). We tested powdering the meteorite samples using a mortar–pestle and a glass vial–rod. Both methods achieved powder recovery yields exceeding 95% and low metal element blank levels from tools under atmospheric conditions. However, the recovery yields decreased at the purified nitrogen conditions. This may occur due to electrostatic effects in a dry environment. To prevent sample scattering due to electrostatic effects, the UV source was introduced into the glovebox. In addition, polishing or blasting changes the micro-texture of the sample container surface, which may reduce adhesion of these fine powders during transport. These experiments will also help to operate fine Phobos samples within the clean chamber expected in 2031.
Bulk Bennu samples and part of the grain-scale samples were characterized using instruments equipped with a clean chamber (Fukai et al., 2025 MaPS). The samples were allocated to the community via Announcement of Opportunity (AO) and to the Ryugu Comparative Study (RCS) team. The tiny Bennu grains (10–100 μm) were picked up from the contact pad (ORX-09000) using a micro-tweezer (Tahara et al., 2025 MaPS). These samples were catalogued (ORX-00001 to -00010) in the Bennu Sample Database (https://darts.isas.jaxa.jp/app/curation/bennu/). A portion of the samples was also allocated to the "sand" sub-team of the RCS team to conduct comparative studies of space weathering effects between the Ryugu and Bennu asteroids.