There are many mission plans for obtaining portions of Mars and Asteroids and returning those samples to Earth.
Some researchers have been thinking about the final part of that process in different ways. Instead of opening the samples upon arrival on Earth, they are kept closed until they are opened midway through the trip.
Although that appears to be easy, it creates a very large issue.
This is where the process begins to diverge from typical return practices.
These issues all make us wonder… “How would that robotic lab operate?”
Concerns about returning space samples
Returning samples from space isn’t new. Several successful missions have returned dust and rocks from asteroids, and several more are planned.
Mars is different, providing a very small possibility that life may have existed at some point in its history.
Any proof of past life, no matter how large, would greatly affect how we view it.
The potential of past life creates a predicament.
Upon arriving on Earth, the sample becomes part of the planet’s ecosystem.
Even though it remains sealed, anything within it can act unpredictably.
Researchers do not “fear,” but they are concerned about how much caution should be used when dealing with something so alien.
Instead of trying to get materials back to Earth, the focus of the discussion has changed. Now the question is where will they be analyzed for the first time?
Preventing samples from landing in Earth’s atmosphere
The new proposal alters their delivery route.
Samples in the future may be sent directly to the moon instead of coming to Earth. This is being considered as a remote-controlled checkpoint rather than a final destination.
There will be no humans within the laboratory.
All tasks completed within the lab will be done using robots.
Robots will pick up materials, scan them, and then test or analyze them.
What makes this location unique is that it is far enough away from Earth, which provides protection against contaminating Earth’s ecosystems.
One group of researchers suggests a lunar outpost could be an intermediate step or filter before sending samples back to Earth. A second research group suggests that decreasing direct contact reduces the risk of exposing humans to unknown materials.
After a sample is no longer sent directly to Earth, what happens next?
Keeping distance from the samples
At first glance, the concept seems easy enough. Ship the material to the moon.
Store it away.
Study it safely.
Once you break down each part of this concept into its components, you’ll see there are other factors to think about.
What will happen with the sample once it arrives?
The robot lab is essentially a quarantine lab.
The sealed containers containing the samples can be brought in.
There will be no contact made with the outside world. Robot arms within closed test chambers will move the sample to allow for testing while preventing any escapes.
Closed test chambers will act as a central location where multiple equipment units can identify characteristics that are not found in earthly materials.
Other types of analysis will also occur in addition to those mentioned above.
Researchers will analyze data transmitted from the facility, using this method to assess the results. They will use this method to assess the data.
This is basically how the system will function in practice overall today.
The moon provides an obstacle that allows time for researchers to assess their results and determine what they want to release regarding those results.
The process in such cases has nothing to do with concerns over potential dangers; rather, it is about managing uncertainty through controlled means.