UK leadership in extraterrestrial sample return

Lead Research Organisation: University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Geographical & Earth Sciences

Abstract

The aim of this project is to help build critical mass and leadership for the UK in the analysis of samples that are soon to be returned from asteroids, the Moon and Mars. These samples will be highly scientifically important because they will have the potential to deliver a step change in our ability to answer questions including those within STFC science challenge B: 'How do stars and planetary systems develop and how do they support the existence of life?'.

The principal objective of our project is to undertake a proof of concept study to test the ability of the emerging technique of atom probe tomography to provide unique insights into the composition and structure of planetary materials. Atom probe tomography can potentially transform our ability to obtain science from tiny amounts of returned samples because it is uniquely capable of identifying atoms and locating them in three-dimensions in a sub-micrometre size particle. Damage to the original sample is minimal, which is exceptionally important given that very little material will be available for researchers to study. In our pump priming work we will analyse samples of carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, which are good analogues for the asteroids Bennu and Ryugu, samples of which will soon to be returned to Earth by NASA and the Japanese space agency. The outcomes of this work will include new capability for the measurement of chemistry, isotopic ratios and nanostructure in complex asteroidal materials. These results will underpin network building activities with researchers in the UK and internationally, thus helping to build critical mass and momentum behind leadership of the UK during this very exciting period of planetary exploration.

Planned Impact

The project will have potential impacts on a variety of sectors. Our atom probe tomography development work could be utilised by mining companies to help visualise the distribution of precious metals (e.g., gold) and strategically important elements within their host minerals. Our capability enhancing work on organic matter in carbonaceous chondrites has potential impacts for the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors, and our development of APT to analyse hydrogen and halogens may provide new insights into engineering problems such as hydrogen embrittlement of steel and the performance of semiconductor devices. These potential impacts can start to be realised via networking and dissemination at conferences, and through publications. Project partners Oxford Instruments and CAMECA are closely involved in the project, and opportunities for impact and follow-on innovation activities will be explored with both partners.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description There are two sets of key findings associated with this award:
1. The Winchcombe meteorite fell in Gloucestershire, UK, in February 2021, which was in the middle of the period of the award. This is the first UK meteorite to have been recovered in 30 years, and was of a type that is highly scientifically valuable. The researcher co-investigator on the award, Luke Daly, was instrumental in the recovery of the meteorite, and the research team played a key role in its analysis. The initial findings were published in Science Advances, with the researcher co-investigator as joint first author, and a suite of other papers have been published or are in press.
2. The research team published several papers on using atom probe tomography to study returned samples, which was a major focus of the award, including a paper in Nature Astronomy setting out a new paradigm for the origin of Earth's water.
Exploitation Route Our work recovering and analysing the Winchcombe meteorite has been very valuable in highlighting the importance and excitement of planetary science to the public, and one of the pieces of the meteorite that was recovered by the researcher co-investigator is on display in the Natural History Museum, London.

Results of our work have also highlighted the power of atom probe tomography as a tool for analysing extraterrestrial and terrestrial materials, not only natural samples but also materials of importance to industry
Sectors Environment

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

URL https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2021/november/headline_822735_en.html
 
Description The UK Fireball Alliance - building an all-sky UK meteor observatory
Amount £147,117 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/Y004817/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2023 
End 08/2025
 
Description The cosmic carbon observatory
Amount £903,675 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/W001128/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2022 
End 03/2025
 
Title Atom probe tomography 
Description One of the goals of this research project is to develop the novel technique of atom probe tomography for analysing the nanoscale chemical composition of planetary materials, in particular phyllosilicates. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact This tool has been used most recently in the analysis of samples returned from the asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission. The atom probe technique has also been used in the analysis of samples returned from the asteroid Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission, and published in Nature Astronomy 
 
Title Solar wind contributions to Earth's oceans 
Description  
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL http://researchdata.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/1164
 
Description BBC Scotland's The Nine 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact I appeared on two live TV broadcasts for BBC Scotland's The Nine show as an expert commentator for the arrival of samples from Asteroid Bennu from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Media activity around the launch of the USA space plane 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact I appeared on BBC news TV and BBC scotland and regional radio stations to speak about the launch of the USA space plane.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024