The Analysis of Planetary Surfaces

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This proposal focuses on investigations of the surface of solar system bodies. It has three major objectives:***1. Develop methods to measure the topography of Bennu - the target asteroid of the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission that includes a Canadian laser altimeter..***2. Understand the effects of the unique environments associated with planetary missions on the measurements from in-situ instruments***3. Prepare for the analysis of Canada's first sample returned from space******These objectives capitalize on two large Canadian investments in planetary exploration. The first of these is a $61 Million investment in Canada's participation in the NASA New Frontiers Mission OSIRIS-REx to a primitive carbonaceous near-Earth asteroid (www.asteroidmission.org). The second is a $3.35 Million dollar project funded primarily by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Research Fund. This project The CAnadian Planetary Simulator (CAPS) was successful in 2015 and will be located at York University. The students trained on these projects will acquire a broad range of analytical skills applicable to many Canadian industries.******Asteroid Topography***The Canadian laser rangefinder on the OSIRIS-REx mission to a near-Earth asteroid has a capable two-dimensional scanning system - the first of its kind for any planetary mission. This capability and its high precision require new methods of data analysis and asteroid topographic assessment. This Canadian contribution to the NASA mission has the potential to revolutionize the study of asteroids and comets. We will provide these techniques and capitalize on the investment in Canadian technology.***Environmental Effects****A major goal of this research is to provide measurements of relevant planetary surface analogues using a variety of techniques. The CAPS' ability to provide correlated measurements of planetary surface materials with a broad set of techniques opens up a research area that has not been well exploited. The goal of these investigations is to improve the quantification of the results of standoff measurements using improved techniques and/or a combination of techniques. This will improve the interpretation of science data from missions to objects in our solar system.******OSIRIS-Rex Sample Analysis***An important component of the OSIRIS-REx mission that is currently needed is a facility that will protect the sample from Earth-based contamination (particulate, organic and atmospheric) while allowing a set of Canadian investigations to be conducted. CAPS will fill this need for the Canadian community (and some of the international community as well) for this clean experimental environment. This project will develop the handling protocols that will allow the investigation of this important sample. These protocols and techniques will be critical to the set of planned investigations and those that are still in development until the 2023 return and beyond.**