Support for continuing Co-I Participation in NASA's OSIRIS-REx sample return mission.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics
Abstract
Unravelling the composition of the regolith of rocky airless bodies such as the Moon, asteroids and comets provides a window into the formation and evolution of the Solar System. This STFC urgency request is to enable critical support during a key phase of NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission (PI D. Lauretta, University of Arizona). Laboratory spectral measurements generated by Oxford as part of a wider test of the mission's data reduction and analysis pipelines have identified serious shortcomings in existing data. This proposal is to make vital new measurements and update our thermal transfer models which will be essential for compositional mapping once the spacecraft arrives at asteroid Bennu in summer 2018 and for sample site selection in 2019. This will maximise the scientific success of OSIRIS-REx's encounter with Bennu.
Background: The composition of airless bodies can in principle be determined remotely by measuring their reflection and emission spectra and comparing the data to spectral libraries of analogue materials measured in laboratories here on Earth.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft includes a full complement of remote sensing instruments including visible to near-infrared and thermal spectrometers. However, any measured spectra can be strongly affected by local thermal environment. For example, we have demonstrated that the presence of strong near-surface thermal gradients in Apollo, meteorite and analogue samples can cause shifts in the positions and relative intensities of the diagnostic features in their thermal infrared (TIR) spectra. These changes in the TIR spectra make existing spectral libraries unreliable in determining surface compositions of airless bodies. This proposal addresses this issue and applies the results to spatially resolved data from a primitive asteroid for the first time.
Background: The composition of airless bodies can in principle be determined remotely by measuring their reflection and emission spectra and comparing the data to spectral libraries of analogue materials measured in laboratories here on Earth.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft includes a full complement of remote sensing instruments including visible to near-infrared and thermal spectrometers. However, any measured spectra can be strongly affected by local thermal environment. For example, we have demonstrated that the presence of strong near-surface thermal gradients in Apollo, meteorite and analogue samples can cause shifts in the positions and relative intensities of the diagnostic features in their thermal infrared (TIR) spectra. These changes in the TIR spectra make existing spectral libraries unreliable in determining surface compositions of airless bodies. This proposal addresses this issue and applies the results to spatially resolved data from a primitive asteroid for the first time.
Planned Impact
Public engagement:
The success of ESA's recent Rosetta mission to comet 67P has shown the huge public interest that can be generated by space science, and we expect OSIRIS-REx to produce similar levels of excitement once the spacecraft arrives at the asteroid in summer 2018. Through our close involvement in the mission we will be able to explain and share our scientific discoveries with the general public and students, and to encourage greater participation, enthusiasm and interest in science and technology.
Novel Spacecraft Instrumentation:
Our space instrument development activity involves collaboration with several UK industrial partners, where we are combining technology we have developed for planetary science instrumentation with subsystems from our partners to enable a new class of radiometers for small Earth observation spacecraft. For example, in July 2014 we celebrated the launch and successful commissioning of the first of these, the Compact Modular Sounder instrument, on the UK TechDemoSat-1 mission in collaboration with RAL Space. The work described in this proposal includes the measurement and application of new spectroscopic data for remote sensing of airless bodies (specifically near-Earth asteroid Bennu) and will feed directly into new instrument designs as part of proposals to e.g. ESA's recent M5 mission call.
Laboratory materials characterisation:
The laboratory capabilities that are exemplified by this proposal will allow a much wider user group to gain commercial benefit from using our facility. This includes, for example, carrying out specialist spectroscopic investigations of terrestrial materials under appropriate environmental conditions for use in analysing remote sensing observations of the Earth.
Building Connections:
The experience gained from this project will assist with preparation for future missions (especially in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme) and this will inform and enable involvement by UK companies. Current examples include discussions with UK companies to provide detectors and optics for e.g. a multiple asteroid flyby mission.
The success of ESA's recent Rosetta mission to comet 67P has shown the huge public interest that can be generated by space science, and we expect OSIRIS-REx to produce similar levels of excitement once the spacecraft arrives at the asteroid in summer 2018. Through our close involvement in the mission we will be able to explain and share our scientific discoveries with the general public and students, and to encourage greater participation, enthusiasm and interest in science and technology.
Novel Spacecraft Instrumentation:
Our space instrument development activity involves collaboration with several UK industrial partners, where we are combining technology we have developed for planetary science instrumentation with subsystems from our partners to enable a new class of radiometers for small Earth observation spacecraft. For example, in July 2014 we celebrated the launch and successful commissioning of the first of these, the Compact Modular Sounder instrument, on the UK TechDemoSat-1 mission in collaboration with RAL Space. The work described in this proposal includes the measurement and application of new spectroscopic data for remote sensing of airless bodies (specifically near-Earth asteroid Bennu) and will feed directly into new instrument designs as part of proposals to e.g. ESA's recent M5 mission call.
Laboratory materials characterisation:
The laboratory capabilities that are exemplified by this proposal will allow a much wider user group to gain commercial benefit from using our facility. This includes, for example, carrying out specialist spectroscopic investigations of terrestrial materials under appropriate environmental conditions for use in analysing remote sensing observations of the Earth.
Building Connections:
The experience gained from this project will assist with preparation for future missions (especially in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme) and this will inform and enable involvement by UK companies. Current examples include discussions with UK companies to provide detectors and optics for e.g. a multiple asteroid flyby mission.
Organisations
- University of Oxford (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Arizona (Collaboration)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Collaboration)
- Stony Brook University (Collaboration)
- Johns Hopkins University (Collaboration)
- Brown University (Collaboration)
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (Collaboration)
Publications
Bowles N. E.
(2017)
CASTAway: A mission to Map the Evolution of Our Solar System
in 48th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Bowles N. E.
(2017)
CASTAway: An Asteroid Main Belt Tour and Survey
in ArXiv e-prints
Bowles N. E.
(2017)
CASTAway: A mission to map the evolution of our Solar System
in European Planetary Science Congress
Bowles Neil
(2017)
CASTAway: A mission to map the evolution of our Solar System
in EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
Donaldson Hanna K
(2019)
Spectral characterization of analog samples in anticipation of OSIRIS-REx's arrival at Bennu: A blind test study
in Icarus
Donaldson Hanna K. L.
(2017)
Spectral Characterization of Analog Samples in Anticipation of OSIRIS-REx's Arrival at Bennu
in 48th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Donaldson Hanna Kerri
(2017)
Simulating Near-Surface Environments of Solar System Bodies in the Laboratory
in EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
Jones G
(2018)
The proposed Caroline ESA M3 mission to a Main Belt Comet
in Advances in Space Research
Lim L. F.
(2017)
Thermal Emission Spectroscopy of Asteroids for Mineralogical Investigations
in 48th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Schrader D. L.
(2017)
Lessons Learned from Preparing OSIRIS-REx Spectral Analog Samples for Bennu
in 48th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Title | Calibration of Images from the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite |
Description | This talk was presented at the April 17, 2021 (AY2020-21) Arizona NASA Space Grant Statewide Undergraduate Research Symposium. The event was virtually available via Zoom.Submitted abstract:The OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) has been acquiring images of asteroid Bennu since 2018 in preparation for the sample collection that was performed in October 2020. Image calibration removes noise and is important for drawing scientific conclusions from the images. Charge smear is a common source of noise for frame transfer detectors; although the current method of charge smear correction is acceptable, it requires an additional correction factor that takes time to find and has some uncertainty. We tested several techniques to address these factors and ultimately implemented an optimization function that has been shown to increase the accuracy and efficiency of the charge smear correction. The primary benefit of this work is improved calibration of OCAMS images, but it also demonstrates a discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental correction. Further investigation into this discrepancy might improve our understanding of the physical and electronic characteristics that affect the detector's physical operation.For inquiries regarding the contents of this dataset, please contact the Corresponding Author listed in the README.txt file. Administrative inquiries (e.g., removal requests, trouble downloading, etc.) can be directed to data-management@arizona.eduThis item is part of 2021 NASA Arizona Space Grant Symposium presentations` |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
URL | https://arizona.figshare.com/articles/presentation/Calibration_of_Images_from_the_OSIRIS-REx_Camera_... |
Title | Calibration of Images from the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite |
Description | This talk was presented at the April 17, 2021 (AY2020-21) Arizona NASA Space Grant Statewide Undergraduate Research Symposium. The event was virtually available via Zoom.Submitted abstract:The OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) has been acquiring images of asteroid Bennu since 2018 in preparation for the sample collection that was performed in October 2020. Image calibration removes noise and is important for drawing scientific conclusions from the images. Charge smear is a common source of noise for frame transfer detectors; although the current method of charge smear correction is acceptable, it requires an additional correction factor that takes time to find and has some uncertainty. We tested several techniques to address these factors and ultimately implemented an optimization function that has been shown to increase the accuracy and efficiency of the charge smear correction. The primary benefit of this work is improved calibration of OCAMS images, but it also demonstrates a discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental correction. Further investigation into this discrepancy might improve our understanding of the physical and electronic characteristics that affect the detector's physical operation.For inquiries regarding the contents of this dataset, please contact the Corresponding Author listed in the README.txt file. Administrative inquiries (e.g., removal requests, trouble downloading, etc.) can be directed to data-management@arizona.eduThis item is part of 2021 NASA Arizona Space Grant Symposium presentations` |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
URL | https://arizona.figshare.com/articles/presentation/Calibration_of_Images_from_the_OSIRIS-REx_Camera_... |
Title | Calibration of Images from the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite |
Description | This talk was presented at the April 17, 2021 (AY2020-21) Arizona NASA Space Grant Statewide Undergraduate Research Symposium. The event was virtually available via Zoom.Submitted abstract:The OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) has been acquiring images of asteroid Bennu since 2018 in preparation for the sample collection that was performed in October 2020. Image calibration removes noise and is important for drawing scientific conclusions from the images. Charge smear is a common source of noise for frame transfer detectors; although the current method of charge smear correction is acceptable, it requires an additional correction factor that takes time to find and has some uncertainty. We tested several techniques to address these factors and ultimately implemented an optimization function that has been shown to increase the accuracy and efficiency of the charge smear correction. The primary benefit of this work is improved calibration of OCAMS images, but it also demonstrates a discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental correction. Further investigation into this discrepancy might improve our understanding of the physical and electronic characteristics that affect the detector's physical operation.For inquiries regarding the contents of this dataset, please contact the Corresponding Author listed in the README.txt file. Administrative inquiries (e.g., removal requests, trouble downloading, etc.) can be directed to data-management@arizona.eduThis item is part of 2021 NASA Arizona Space Grant Symposium presentations` |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2021 |
URL | https://arizona.figshare.com/articles/presentation/Calibration_of_Images_from_the_OSIRIS-REx_Camera_... |
Title | Sing Song Physics |
Description | Created a song about asteroids with Jonny Berliner and people in Oxford |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Impact | Evaluation showed that audience found the activity engaging and learnt about asteroids. |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT5EFnkm3gM |
Description | Contributed to the sample site selection process for the OSIRIS-REx mission. Laboratory spectra measured as part of this grant contributed to the detection of magnetite in the disk averaged spectrum of Bennu. |
Exploitation Route | Placing the returned sample from the OSIRIS-REx mission in context when it is returned to Earth in 2023. Comparison between Bennu and other primitive type asteroids, especially as new data becomes available from e.g the James Webb Space Telescope. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Education |
URL | https://www.asteroidmission.org |
Description | Our involvement in OSIRIS-REx has contributed to numerous public talks and engagement activities, including public song-writing around the subject of asteroids to communicate the main findings of the mission to a wider audience. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Electronics |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Title | PASCALE Spectral Data for OSIRIS-REx |
Description | Spectral library of meteorite and mineral spectra measured under simulated asteroid conditions |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Analysis of remote sensing data from Bennu. |
URL | https://www.asteroidmission.org |
Description | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Team |
Organisation | Brown University |
Department | Planetary Geosciences Group |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Access to laboratory facilities, analysis of samples, data analysis and inter comparisons, development of new laboratory experiments and facilities |
Collaborator Contribution | provision of mineral samples, graduate students, collaboration on successful Apollo sample consortium proposal. |
Impact | Proposal for Apollo Samples to CAPTEM, numerous publications. Collaboration is multi-displinary bringing together physics, geophysics and geology. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Team |
Organisation | Johns Hopkins University |
Department | Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We have looked into improving remote sensing analyses based on laboratory measurements of rocks and minerals to understand the influence of thermal gradients, grain size, porosity, and space weathering. |
Collaborator Contribution | The input of partners expertise in compositional analyses, and cross-laboratory studies is essential for this collaboration. |
Impact | Many publications have resulted from this collaboration. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Team |
Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
Department | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Access to laboratory facilities, analysis of samples, data analysis and inter comparisons, development of new laboratory experiments and facilities |
Collaborator Contribution | provision of mineral samples, graduate students, collaboration on successful Apollo sample consortium proposal. |
Impact | Proposal for Apollo Samples to CAPTEM, numerous publications. Collaboration is multi-displinary bringing together physics, geophysics and geology. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Team |
Organisation | Stony Brook University |
Department | Earth and Space Sciences |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Access to laboratory facilities, analysis of samples, data analysis and inter comparisons, development of new laboratory experiments and facilities |
Collaborator Contribution | provision of mineral samples, graduate students, collaboration on successful Apollo sample consortium proposal. |
Impact | Proposal for Apollo Samples to CAPTEM, numerous publications. Collaboration is multi-displinary bringing together physics, geophysics and geology. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Team |
Organisation | Stony Brook University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have looked into improving remote sensing analyses based on laboratory measurements of rocks and minerals to understand the influence of thermal gradients, grain size, porosity, and space weathering. |
Collaborator Contribution | The input of partners expertise in compositional analyses, and cross-laboratory studies is essential for this collaboration. |
Impact | Many publications have resulted from this collaboration. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Team |
Organisation | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Department | Department of Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Access to laboratory facilities, analysis of samples, data analysis and inter comparisons, development of new laboratory experiments and facilities |
Collaborator Contribution | provision of mineral samples, graduate students, collaboration on successful Apollo sample consortium proposal. |
Impact | Proposal for Apollo Samples to CAPTEM, numerous publications. Collaboration is multi-displinary bringing together physics, geophysics and geology. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Team |
Organisation | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have looked into improving remote sensing analyses based on laboratory measurements of rocks and minerals to understand the influence of thermal gradients, grain size, porosity, and space weathering. |
Collaborator Contribution | The input of partners expertise in compositional analyses, and cross-laboratory studies is essential for this collaboration. |
Impact | Many publications have resulted from this collaboration. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | OSIRIS-REx |
Organisation | University of Arizona |
Department | Lunar and Planetary Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Laboratory experiments to support the OSIRIS-REx sample return mission. |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to meteorite samples |
Impact | Internal reports to the OSIRIS-REx project, multi-displinary physics/geology |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Destination: Space, Virtual Flash Talk Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A series of six online talks were presented on several planetary science topics to a live audience of about 100 students per talk. These talks allowed for interactive discussions of each topic, and increased interest from schools in using these talks and follow-up materials to relate these topics to the national curriculum. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/about-us/outreach/public/public-lectures/flash-talk-physics |
Description | International Observe the Moon Night public event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Approximately 90 university students and members of the general public attended our lunar observing night as part of the International Observe the Moon night program by NASA. This included many discussions about lunar research at the University of Oxford, as well as general information about planetary science from children and adults alike. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/events/international-observe-moon-night |
Description | Oxford Stargazing |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The public was invited into the department to take part in interactive activities, engage with researchers and listen to lectures. Our booth demonstrated the utility of infrared techniques in examining planetary surfaces through use of a thermal infrared camera; the sampling technique used in the OSIRIS-REx sample return mission through a custom built game; and the challenges of using robotics by using a robotic arm to perform simple tasks. These activities drew participants in and facilitated discussions about the science and engineering involved in planetary missions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | Oxford University Museum of Natural History Christmas Lecture: Exploring the Solar System with Invisible Light |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | ~80 Year 5 & 6 students from several schools attended our invited talk at the Natural History Museum discussing infrared light and how we use it to learn about the Solar System. This event included discussion, NASA & ESA videos, as well as demonstrations of key concepts relevant to the national curriculum. Teachers reported increased student interest and we were invited to return to for further museum events. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | School Seminar: How do we know what other planets are made of? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 70 primary school students attended a virtual talk on meteorites and asteroids, creating discussion on local events (meteorite impact) and the OSIRIS-REx sample return mission. The school reported increased interest in space and physics, and we received several thank-you letters from students. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Sing Song Physics |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Created songs with the general public about asteroids and OSIRIS-REx |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT5EFnkm3gM |
Description | Star Gazing Oxford Open day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Event was very well attended with over 1200 people attending through out the day. Stimulated lots of discussions. Posters produced and demonstrations developed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Virtual School Talk: What are Shooting Stars? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 40 primary students attended a virtual talk about meteorites. This encouraged discussion about a recent local meteorite fall and meteorite and asteroid research ongoing at Oxford. The school reported increased curiosity in the subject, and good links to the national curriculum, and we were invited back. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |