Dr Susanne Schwenzer

Samples of Martian origin will be returned to Earth via JAXA’s MMX mission in about six years from now (2029), with Mars surface-collected materials returned to Earth by the NASA/ESA MSR collaboration in about ten years’ time (2033). The timescale involved, particularly for participation in MMX, are tight and action is needed now to ensure that the UK science community is ready to play a full role in the analysis of these precious materials. Appropriate action is required on a number of fronts. We need to be ready in terms of having suitably trained scientists with a relevant expertise in cutting edge analysis techniques relevant to the characterization of Martian samples. We need to maintain and enhance the capabilities of our world-leading analytical facilities that are essential to the analysis of Martian samples. These facilities will provide the scientific leverage required to be part of any initial analysis initiative. And critically, we need to be able to demonstrate to our partner space agencies that we have the appropriate clean handling facilities and preparation techniques relevant to the manipulation of pristine returned samples. This proposal sets out in detail a framework for addressing these issues by providing a PhD opportunity to undertake a cutting-edge oxygen isotope study by laser assisted- fluorination of Martian meteorite samples. The samples that will be analyzed are closely aligned to the composition of the materials already collected and cached by the Perseverance Rover. Oxygen isotope analysis by laser fluorination is a key Martian analysis technique in which the UK is the world-leader. The scientific outputs from this study are critical to understanding the evolution and interactions between the Martian hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere. This work needs to be completed in advance of initial sample return in order to maximize the scientific outputs once the main phase of characterization work commences. This study will not only train a new Mars sample specialist, but will help to sustain and develop our leadership role in Mars critical laser fluorination analysis. In addition, this will provide benefits for the wider UK extraterrestrial analysis community through rapid allocation of returned Mars material, as was the case for asteroidal particles returned by the JAXA Hayabusa2 mission. We will also be obtaining an early allocation in the upcoming NASA OSIRIS-REx initial analysis phase (October 2023). As a consequence of our involvement in these missions, we have developed a range of clean sample manipulation techniques. These will be further developed during the course of this study. The technical expertise and hardware products developed during this project will be disseminated to other groups within the UK analysis community. By making this specialist expertise more widely available we will provide a competitive advantage to other UK-based researchers seeking to bid for pristine returned samples.

Astrobiology is an emerging scientific field and is driven by the question ‘are we alone in the Universe?’ With an increasing number of life-detection/habitability missions, astrobiology is at the core of nations’ space strategies. The Open University Astrobiology Unit focuses on understanding how, and where, life might be found, by combining field work, laboratory simulations and mission data. Building on this expertise, Unit members are involved in key astrobiology-related missions and in developing planetary protection regulations. E3 funding will build capacity in line with future missions by furthering our understanding of extraterrestrial environments and potential life, through developing facilities to simulate these environments and investigating analogue sites. This is aimed at understanding if, and where, life may be found beyond the Earth. The Unit will develop its expertise to meet the new challenges that arise as the private sector and smaller nations develop exploration capacity. This includes supporting the sector to meet, and define, planetary protection requirements and to address space governance, for example, ensuring environmental sustainability of missions. The Unit will develop relevant education material for the expanding space sector, and it will work to ensure knowledge and expertise in astrobiology is used in a just and equitable manner. Sustainability of the Unit will be underpinned by commercial services, external funding, and University investment. The Unit will support the growth of astrobiology networks of industry, higher educational institutes and policymakers, and early career researchers, to ensure that the UK is globally recognised and influential within the field.

STFC Planetary Science Consolidated grant - details to be entered here.

This project will investigate water rock reactions on Mars, using latest data returned from the Mars Science Laboratory mission, including predictive work for the traverse ahead. It will feed into the upcoming ExoMars mission through creating understanding of water and element mobility and their impact on the habitability of Martian environments.

STFC DTG Quota 2015-16 AMS record for students starting on or after 01/10/2015

The aim of this proposal is it determine the feasibility of contemporary life existing elsewhere in the Solar System. To address this aim we will 1) investigate microbial processes that could occur in proposed transient water on the surface of Mars and in the sub-surface oceans of Enceladus and Europa and 2) assess how the geochemistry within these habitable environments would differ over geological timescales in the presence and absence of life. We will use a unique approach, which combines simulation experiments with geochemical modelling.

Our proposed research programme addresses the origin and evolution of the Solar System, including surfaces, atmospheres and physical, geological, chemical and biological processes on the terrestrial planets, the Moon, asteroids, comets, icy satellites and extraterrestrial materials, in a range of projects which address the STFC Science Roadmap challenge B: “How do stars and planetary systems develop and is life unique to our planet?” The inner rocky bodies of the Solar System are of particular importance in understanding planetary system evolution, because of their common origin but subsequent divergent histories. Lunar samples will be used to determine the abundance and composition of volatile elements on the Moon, their source(s) in the lunar interior, and processes influencing their evolution over lunar geological history. Oxygen isotope analysis will be used to determine the conditions and processes that shape the formation of materials during the earliest stages of Solar System formation. Mars is the focus of international Solar System exploration programmes, with the ultimate aim of Mars Sample Return. We will: investigate the martian water cycle on global and local scales through a synthesis of atmospheric modeling, space mission data and surface geology; assess potential changes in the composition of Mars’ atmosphere over time through measurement of tracers trapped in martian meteorites of different ages; and determine whether carbon dioxide, rather than water flow, is able to account for recently active surface features on Mars. Mercury is an end-member in the planet-formation spectrum and we plan to exploit NASA MESSENGER data to study its origin and crustal evolution, and prepare for ESA’s BepiColombo mission. The cold outer regions of the Solar System, and particularly comets, are believed to have retained some of the most pristine primitive material from their formation. We plan to probe the composition and origins of cometary material and understand the processes that drive cometary activity through: laboratory analysis of the most primitive Interplanetary Dust Particles; and direct measurements of a comet by our instruments on the Rosetta mission, together with laboratory simulations. We will conduct laboratory ultraviolet observations of irradiated ices to provide new insights into the composition of Solar System ices and how they may create atmospheres around their parent bodies. We will also investigate the role volatiles can play in the cohesion (“making”) of Solar System minor bodies, and the fragmentation that can be achieved by thermal cycling (a candidate process that “breaks” them). The question of whether Earth is a unique location for life in the Solar System remains one of the most enduring questions of our time. We plan to investigate how the geochemistry of potentially habitable environments on Mars, Europa and Enceladus would change over geological timescales if life was present, producing distinguishable biomarkers that could be used as evidence of life in the Solar System. We will study the role of hypervelocity impacts in: the processing of compounds of critical interest to habitability (water, sulfur-species, organic species) during crater formation; and the hydrothermal system of the 100 km diameter Manicouagan impact structure in Canada to assess the astrobiological implications of hydrothermal systems for early Mars. In addition to satisfying humanity’s innate desire to explore and understand the Universe around us, our research has more tangible benefits. We use the analytical techniques involved from development of space and laboratory instrumentation for applications with companies in fields as diverse as medicine, security, tourism and cosmetics. One of the most important benefits of our research is that it helps to train and inspire students - the next generation of scientists and engineers – through training within the University and public outreach and schools programmes.

To participate in the operations work and team meetings of the NASA Mars Science Laboratory Mission.