Summary
Sample return missions (SRMs) are a critical next step in our exploration of the Solar System and are identified as strategic missions by international space agencies. Europe has a very strong legacy in the curation and research of precious extraterrestrial materials. To maintain European leadership and ensure high-level involvement in future SRMs, a dedicated European Sample Curation Facility (ESCF) to receive and curate returned samples from the Moon, asteroids and Mars, is of critical importance.
Euro-CARES will focus on 5 key themes for developing a ESCF:
o Planetary Protection- protocols and methods for future SRMs
o Instrumentation and Analytical Methods- in the fields of cosmo/geochemistry and biosciences
o Facilities and Infrastructures- to curate sensitive extraterrestrial or biological materials
o Analogue Materials- that are most appropriate and can be used in ‘end to end’ SRM planning
o Portable Receiving Technologies- used to move samples whilst retaining scientific integrity and bio-containment (for Mars samples)
Using the 5 key themes Euro-CARES will:
1) Evaluate and critically assess the state of the art within Europe and internationally to identify critical requirements for the ESCF
2) Determine and verify European readiness levels to identify where investment is required and opportunities for European leadership in scientific and engineering fields related to curating extraterrestrial samples
3) Engage with scientific, industrial, governmental and public stakeholders through community workshops, conferences, publications and educational opportunities
4) Deliver recommendations and roadmaps defining the steps necessary to deliver a ESCF to ensure high-level involvement in future ESA and international SRMs
Euro-CARES comprises a team of scientists and engineers from across Europe with internationally recognised expertise in astrobiology, biosciences, cosmo/geochemistry, extraterrestrial sample curation, planetary protection and space exploration.
Euro-CARES will focus on 5 key themes for developing a ESCF:
o Planetary Protection- protocols and methods for future SRMs
o Instrumentation and Analytical Methods- in the fields of cosmo/geochemistry and biosciences
o Facilities and Infrastructures- to curate sensitive extraterrestrial or biological materials
o Analogue Materials- that are most appropriate and can be used in ‘end to end’ SRM planning
o Portable Receiving Technologies- used to move samples whilst retaining scientific integrity and bio-containment (for Mars samples)
Using the 5 key themes Euro-CARES will:
1) Evaluate and critically assess the state of the art within Europe and internationally to identify critical requirements for the ESCF
2) Determine and verify European readiness levels to identify where investment is required and opportunities for European leadership in scientific and engineering fields related to curating extraterrestrial samples
3) Engage with scientific, industrial, governmental and public stakeholders through community workshops, conferences, publications and educational opportunities
4) Deliver recommendations and roadmaps defining the steps necessary to deliver a ESCF to ensure high-level involvement in future ESA and international SRMs
Euro-CARES comprises a team of scientists and engineers from across Europe with internationally recognised expertise in astrobiology, biosciences, cosmo/geochemistry, extraterrestrial sample curation, planetary protection and space exploration.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/640190 |
| Start date: | 01-01-2015 |
| End date: | 31-12-2017 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 1 999 999,00 Euro - 1 999 999,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Sample return missions (SRMs) are a critical next step in our exploration of the Solar System and are identified as strategic missions by international space agencies. Europe has a very strong legacy in the curation and research of precious extraterrestrial materials. To maintain European leadership and ensure high-level involvement in future SRMs, a dedicated European Sample Curation Facility (ESCF) to receive and curate returned samples from the Moon, asteroids and Mars, is of critical importance.Euro-CARES will focus on 5 key themes for developing a ESCF:
o Planetary Protection- protocols and methods for future SRMs
o Instrumentation and Analytical Methods- in the fields of cosmo/geochemistry and biosciences
o Facilities and Infrastructures- to curate sensitive extraterrestrial or biological materials
o Analogue Materials- that are most appropriate and can be used in ‘end to end’ SRM planning
o Portable Receiving Technologies- used to move samples whilst retaining scientific integrity and bio-containment (for Mars samples)
Using the 5 key themes Euro-CARES will:
1) Evaluate and critically assess the state of the art within Europe and internationally to identify critical requirements for the ESCF
2) Determine and verify European readiness levels to identify where investment is required and opportunities for European leadership in scientific and engineering fields related to curating extraterrestrial samples
3) Engage with scientific, industrial, governmental and public stakeholders through community workshops, conferences, publications and educational opportunities
4) Deliver recommendations and roadmaps defining the steps necessary to deliver a ESCF to ensure high-level involvement in future ESA and international SRMs
Euro-CARES comprises a team of scientists and engineers from across Europe with internationally recognised expertise in astrobiology, biosciences, cosmo/geochemistry, extraterrestrial sample curation, planetary protection and space exploration.
Status
CLOSEDCall topic
COMPET-08-2014Update Date
27-10-2022
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Organisations
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| NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM (Coördinator)
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| CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)
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| DEUTSCHES ZENTRUM FUR LUFT - UND RAUMFAHRT EV
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| Department of Health
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| ISTITUTO NAZIONALE DI ASTROFISICA
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| MUSEUM NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE
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| NATURHISTORISCHES MUSEUM
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| SENCKENBERG GESELLSCHAFT FUR NATURFORSCHUNG
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| THALES ALENIA SPACE UK LTD
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| THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
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| UNIVERSITA DI PISA
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| UNIVERSITE LIBRE DE BRUXELLES
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| UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER