Posted on 03/12/2018 12:08:30 PM PDT by BenLurkin
"Samples were intentionally saved for a time when technology and instrumentation had advanced to the point that we could maximize the scientific return on these unique samples," said NASA's Ryan Zeigler, Apollo sample curator and manager of the Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office in Houston.
But such investigations require careful planning and execution by a consortium of experts with experience in handling and analyzing lunar samples...
"Given the recent renewed interest in the moon, and specifically about the volatile budget of lunar regolith, these sealed samples likely contain information that would be important in the design of future lunar missions," Zeigler said.
"Volatiles" are substances with relatively low boiling points—materials such as water, hydrogen and methane. Understanding lunar volatiles could improve the productivity and value of future human involvement with the moon, scientists have stressed.
...
Apollo's set of unopened samples contain pristine and unstudied lunar material. Moreover, given that the total sample mass within the unopened containers of moon specimens exceeds projected masses returned by future robotic missions, each of the unopened samples should be treated as an individual lunar mission, the lunar experts contend.
...
The Apollo 17 mission in December 1972 was a "J-style" mission. That means it was capable of a longer stay time on the moon and greater surface mobility via a wheeled vehicle. The expeditionary crew of Harrison "Jack" Schmitt and Eugene Cernan chalked up a total distance of 23 miles (36.9 kilometers).
Thanks to their moon rover, the lunar twosome gathered samples over a wide area in Taurus-Littrow Valley. The Apollo 17 mission returned 244 lbs. (110.5 kilograms) of a variety of sample types. This was approximately 30 percent of the total sample mass returned by the Apollo program, which collectively added up to 840 lbs. (381 kg).
(Excerpt) Read more at scientificamerican.com ...
I fully agree. Do not open them.
But, I think the best option is to set up a colony on the Moon and study them there.
The link didn’t work, but, I totally get the reference.
Greeeeen Acres is the place to be!
Wasn’t the kid Dinky Watson (played by Bill Mumy?)
Thanks!
Had to look it up, but no, that was Johnny Whitaker, Jody from Family Affair.
For that matter, we won't need the old samples for years anyway, if we've got people studying lunar samples as they collect them from new spots on the lunar surface.
As soon as they open them, they will loose them all.
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