GeoLab 2011: New Instruments and Operations Tested at Desert RATS.

Accession Number

N20120003870

Publication Date

Mar 2012

Media Count

Personal Author

C. A. Evans M. J. Calaway M. S. Bell

Abstract

GeoLab is a geological laboratory and testbed designed for supporting geoscience activities during NASA's analog demonstrations. Scientists at NASA's Johnson Space Center built GeoLab as part of a technology project to aid the development of science operational concepts for future planetary surface missions (1, 2, 3). It is integrated into NASA's Habitat Demonstration Unit, a first generation exploration habitat test article. As a prototype workstation, GeoLab provides a high fidelity working space for analog mission crewmembers to perform in-situ characterization of geologic samples and communicate their findings with supporting scientists. GeoLab analog operations can provide valuable data for assessing the operational and scientific considerations of surface-based geologic analyses such as preliminary examination of samples collected by astronaut crews (4, 5). Our analog tests also feed into sample handling and advanced curation operational concepts and procedures that will, ultimately, help ensure that the most critical samples are collected during future exploration on a planetary surface, and aid decisions about sample prioritization, sample handling and return. Data from GeoLab operations also supports science planning during a mission by providing additional detailed geologic information to supporting scientists, helping them make informed decisions about strategies for subsequent sample collection opportunities.

Keywords

Data processing
Geology
Geophysics
Habitats
Planetary surfaces
Project management
Prototypes
Sample return missions
Space missions
Spacecrews
Workstations


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Source Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NTIS Subject Category

55A - Aeronomy

Corporate Author

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, TX. Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Document Type

Conference proceedings

Title Note

N/A

NTIS Issue Number

1220

Contract Number

N/A

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