The Marco Polo mission: a sample return from a low-albedo Near Earth Object in the ESA Cosmic Vision Program 2015-2025

Marco Polo is a sample return mission to a Near-Earth Object (NEO) which was originally proposed as a joint European-Japanese mission for the scientific program Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 of the European Space Agency (ESA) in June 2007 and selected for an assessment study until fall 2009. The main goal of this mission is to return a sample from a dark taxonomic type (low albedo) NEO for detailed laboratory analysis in order to answer questions related to planetary formation, evolution and the origin of Life. In addition, it will provide detailed information on the physical and chemical properties of a body belonging to the population of potential Earth impactors, and therefore it is also directly relevant to the problems of risk assessment and mitigation. We review basic information on NEOs, potential targets for a sample return mission and the Marco Polo mission, with emphasis on their relevance to impact risk assessment and mitigation. More details on the Marco Polo mission and scientific objectives can be found in [1]

A cryogenic liquid-mirror telescope on the moon to study the early universe

We have studied the feasibility and scientific potential of zenith observing liquid mirror telescopes having 20 to 100 m diameters located on the moon. They would carry out deep infrared surveys to study the distant universe and follow up discoveries made with the 6 m James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), with more detailed images and spectroscopic studies. They could detect objects 100 times fainter than JWST, observing the first, high-red shift stars in the early universe and their assembly into galaxies. We explored the scientific opportunities, key technologies and optimum location of such telescopes. We have demonstrated critical technologies. For example, the primary mirror would necessitate a high-reflectivity liquid that does not evaporate in the lunar vacuum and remains liquid at less than 100K: We have made a crucial demonstration by successfully coating an ionic liquid that has negligible vapor pressure. We also successfully experimented with a liquid mirror spinning on a superconducting bearing, as will be needed for the cryogenic, vacuum environment of the telescope. We have investigated issues related to lunar locations, concluding that locations within a few km of a pole are ideal for deep sky cover and long integration times. We have located ridges and crater rims within 0.5 degrees of the North Pole that are illuminated for at least some sun angles during lunar winter, providing power and temperature control. We also have identified potential problems, like lunar dust. Issues raised by our preliminary study demand additional in-depth analyses. These issues must be fully examined as part of a scientific debate we hope to start with the present article.Comment: 35 pages, 11 figures. To appear in Astrophysical Journal June 20 200

Marco Polo - a mission to return a sample from a Near-Earth Object - science requirements and operational scenarios

Marco Polo is a mission to return a sample from a Near-Earth Object of primitive type (class C or D). It is foreseen as a collaborative effort between the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Marco Polo is currently in a Phase-A study. This paper focuses on the scientific requirements provided to the industrial study consortia in Europe as well as the possible mission scenario at the target object in order to achieve the overall mission science objectives. The main scientific reasons for going to a Near-Earth Object are to understand the initial conditions and evolution history of the solar nebula, to understand how major events (e.g. agglomeration, heating) influence the history of planetesimals, whether primitive class objects contain presolar material, what the organics were in primitive materials, how organics could shed light on the origin of molecules necessary for life, and what the role of impacts by NEOs would be in the origin and evolution of life on Earth

Planetary science and exploration in the deep subsurface: results from the MINAR Program, Boulby Mine, UK

The subsurface exploration of other planetary bodies can be used to unravel their geological history and assess their habitability. On Mars in particular, present-day habitable conditions may be restricted to the subsurface. Using a deep subsurface mine, we carried out a program of extraterrestrial analog research – MINe Analog Research (MINAR). MINAR aims to carry out the scientific study of the deep subsurface and test instrumentation designed for planetary surface exploration by investigating deep subsurface geology, whilst establishing the potential this technology has to be transferred into the mining industry. An integrated multi-instrument suite was used to investigate samples of representative evaporite minerals from a subsurface Permian evaporite sequence, in particular to assess mineral and elemental variations which provide small-scale regions of enhanced habitability. The instruments used were the Panoramic Camera emulator, Close-Up Imager, Raman spectrometer, Small Planetary Linear Impulse Tool, Ultrasonic drill and handheld X-ray diffraction (XRD). We present science results from the analog research and show that these instruments can be used to investigate in situ the geological context and mineralogical variations of a deep subsurface environment, and thus habitability, from millimetre to metre scales. We also show that these instruments are complementary. For example, the identification of primary evaporite minerals such as NaCl and KCl, which are difficult to detect by portable Raman spectrometers, can be accomplished with XRD. By contrast, Raman is highly effective at locating and detecting mineral inclusions in primary evaporite minerals. MINAR demonstrates the effective use of a deep subsurface environment for planetary instrument development, understanding the habitability of extreme deep subsurface environments on Earth and other planetary bodies, and advancing the use of space technology in economic mining

Subsurface scientific exploration of extraterrestrial environments (MINAR 5): analogue science, technology and education in the Boulby Mine, UK

The deep subsurface of other planetary bodies is of special interest for robotic and human exploration. The subsurface provides access to planetary interior processes, thus yielding insights into planetary formation and evolution. On Mars, the subsurface might harbour the most habitable conditions. In the context of human exploration, the subsurface can provide refugia for habitation from extreme surface conditions. We describe the fifth Mine Analogue Research (MINAR 5) programme at 1 km depth in the Boulby Mine, UK in collaboration with Spaceward Bound NASA and the Kalam Centre, India, to test instruments and methods for the robotic and human exploration of deep environments on the Moon and Mars. The geological context in Permian evaporites provides an analogue to evaporitic materials on other planetary bodies such as Mars. A wide range of sample acquisition instruments (NASA drills, Small Planetary Impulse Tool (SPLIT) robotic hammer, universal sampling bags), analytical instruments (Raman spectroscopy, Close-Up Imager, Minion DNA sequencing technology, methane stable isotope analysis, biomolecule and metabolic life detection instruments) and environmental monitoring equipment (passive air particle sampler, particle detectors and environmental monitoring equipment) was deployed in an integrated campaign. Investigations included studying the geochemical signatures of chloride and sulphate evaporitic minerals, testing methods for life detection and planetary protection around human-tended operations, and investigations on the radiation environment of the deep subsurface. The MINAR analogue activity occurs in an active mine, showing how the development of space exploration technology can be used to contribute to addressing immediate Earth-based challenges. During the campaign, in collaboration with European Space Agency (ESA), MINAR was used for astronaut familiarization with future exploration tools and techniques. The campaign was used to develop primary and secondary school and primary to secondary transition curriculum materials on-site during the campaign which was focused on a classroom extra vehicular activity simulation

Re-emergence of enterovirus D68 in Europe after easing the COVID-19 lockdown, September 2021

We report a rapid increase in enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections, with 139 cases reported from eight European countries between 31 July and 14 October 2021. This upsurge is in line with the seasonality of EV-D68 and was presumably stimulated by the widespread reopening after COVID-19 lockdown. Most cases were identified in September, but more are to be expected in the coming months. Reinforcement of clinical awareness, diagnostic capacities and surveillance of EV-D68 is urgently needed in Europe

Amelioration du puvoir separateur par traitement du signal en reflectometrie sur fibres optiques

SIGLECNRS T Bordereau / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Preparation of ExoMars mission. Preliminary study for 3D and stereo science operations by using CLUPI flight model representative: Toward a morphometrical analysis

International audienceIntroduction Figure 1: Rosalind Franklin rover . (a) CLUPI on the drill box (red rectangle, Image credit ESA/SEI-TJ). (b) CLUPI flight model representative (EM+) mounted in the stowed drill configuration, Image credit SEI.Therefore, for this scientific goal, the objective is to reconstruct topographical and 3D data from the CLUPI data, using specific CLUPI operating configurations. This project is in collaboration with the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille (LAM, France). 3D and stereo with CLUPI CLUPI 8 configurations are linked to the drill box positions (Fig.2, Josset et al., 2017). In order to constrain the topographical data from the images acquired by CLUPI we will used the stereogrammetry method (Beyer et al., 2018). To perform that we need several images of the same geological target but with different stereo-angle (i.e. the angle between the target and CLUPI in the target repository (Fig.3)). CLUPI is a mono optics camera system. Thus, the different shots resulting in different stereo angles will come from the movement of the drill box and/or the rover itself. So, the main question of this project is how to define the optimal geometries parameters to obtain stereo images of the same target according to the 8 CLUPI operating configurations? Experimentation and preliminary result In order to simulate the operation environment of CLUPI, we are using the EM+ flight model representative in the Space Exploration Institute CLUPI science operation lab based in Microcity, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The CLUPI EM+ is adapted on a geometric drill simulator, corresponding to the ExoMars Rover mission (Josset et al., 2017). The objectives of this experimentation are to (1) recreate the CLUPI operating configurations, (2) vary parameters such as: the angle of incidence, the working distance and the CLUPI height relative to the ground; the illumination (studied in Marslabor, University of Basel; Bontognalli et al., 2021), and (3) derived the best geometrical position of the rover in order to reconstruct topographical data (Fig.3a).Figure 2: CLUPI eight operational configurations. (a) On the platform, (b) geological environment survey, (c) Close-up outcrops observation, (d) drilling area observation, (e) drilling operation observation, (f) Drill hole and fines observation, (g) drilled core sample observation and (h) calibration: calibration target imaging. Images credit: ESA/SEI-TJ Figure 3: Experiment with the EM+. (a) Simulation of the second configuration. (b) Simulation of the second configuration after the calculated translation and rotation of the "rover", with a stereo angle (red) and the same working distance (yellow). The green and blue points correspond, respectively to the EM+ position before and after the translation/rotation. Illumination study (Basel University) The total light and direction of incidence light plays an important role in allowing the identification of different rock textures, morphological features, and mineralogical distribution. The effect of different solar angles in relation to the target rock is studied with CLUPI analogue camera - Canon EOS M50. The most recent results show that to identify sedimentary structures, such as cracks, laminations and other morphological features in sedimentary rocks, the lower angle of 25° of direct light is preferable (sunset conditions on Mars, Fig.4a, c). In contrast, the distribution of the minerals within the rock, the incident/direct light shall be around 70° to the rock surface (mid-day conditions on Mars, Fig.4b,d).Figure 4. Close-up images in third configuration of basaltic tuff (A&B) and dry cracks in sedimentary rock (C&D) taken with Canon EOS M50 in Marslabor at University of Basel. (a) and (c) direct light of the angle 25 °. (b) and (d) direct light of an angle 70 °. Each to the rock surface. The total proportion of the light was 5:1 of direct and diffused light - 5000 LUX and 1000 LUX respectively, after Bontognali et al., 2021. With a working distance of 650 mm and camera angle of 11 °. (e) and (f) are anaglyph made from basaltic tuff (a) and (b) and dry cracks in sedimentary rock with the Canon, 25° light angle and a working distance of 760 mm. Stereo and 3D study (Space Exploration institute, Neuchâtel) Currently, we succeed to define the optimal positions, with respect to configuration 2 and 3. For the configuration 2, the images with different stereo angle come from a translation then a rotation of the rover (Fig.3). The stereo images from the configuration 3 come from the different drill positions. In these two cases, the calculated positions make it possible to keep the same working distance despite the movements. This point is particularly important to reconstruct the topography rigorously. We also reconstruct the firsts 3D anaglyphs based on the third configuration (Fig.4e, f and Fig.5). Conclusion and acknowledgment: These study and related experiments consisting in varying the following parameters: the angle of incidence, the illumination, the working distance, the height relative to the ground, allows to faithfully reproduce the CLUPI operations configurations. These first results are promising since we succeed to define the geometrical parameters optimally to derive the topography data for 2 configurations. We will continue to investigate on the other configurations to quantify the rock morphometry recorded in the rock matrix. These steps are essential to significantly increase the science exploitation of CLUPI. The authors want to acknowledge the Swiss National Science Foundation (Subside 200021_197293/1), who is funding this project with the support of the Swiss Space Office and ESA Prodex.Figure 5: Anaglyph of a stromatolite performed in the SEI/Lab using CLUPI Flight Model Representative in the third configuration with a working distance of 1 m and a stereo angle of 10°. Images credit: SEI.References: Beyer, R. A., Alexandrov, O., & McMichael, S. 2018, Earth and Space Science, 5, 537- 548.Bontognali, T., Meister, Y., Kuhn, B., et al., 2021, Planetary and Space Science, 208, 2021, 105355Bouquety, A., Sejourné, A., Costard, F., et al., 2019, Geomorphology, 334, 91Bouquety, A., Sejourné, A., Costard, F., et al., 2020, Geomorphology, 350, 106858Bouquety, A., Jorda, L., Groussin, O., et al. 2021, Astronomy & Astrophysics,649, A82Bouquety, A.,Groussin, O., Jorda, L., et al. 2022, Astronomy & Astrophysics: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202142417Josset, J.-L., Westall, F., Hofmann, et al., 2017. Astrobiology 17, 595-611