# Presentation: 328296

## Lunar  Materials  for  Research

**Lunar  Materials  for  Research**
**Carlton  Allen**
**Astromaterials  Curator**
**Johnson  Space  Center**

## Between  1969  and  1972  six  Apollo  missions  brought  382  kilograms  of  lunar  rocks, core  samples, pebbles  and  dust  from  the  lunar  surface.

**Between  1969  and  1972  six  Apollo  missions  brought  382  kilograms  of  lunar  rocks, core  samples, pebbles  and  dust  from  the  lunar  surface.**

## This  total  includes  92  kg  of  rock  and  “soil”  <  10  mm.

**This  total  includes  92  kg  of  rock  and  “soil”  <  10  mm.**

## Lunar  soil  is  a  complex  mixture  of  rock  and  mineral  grains  shattered  by  impact, along  with  impact-derived  glass  and  volcanic  glass.

- Carlton Allen
- Astromaterials Curator
- Johnson Space Center

**Lunar  soil  is  a  complex  mixture  of  rock  and  mineral  grains  shattered  by  impact, along  with  impact-derived  glass  and  volcanic  glass.**

## The  median  grain  size  is  ~  100 m. 

**The  median  grain  size  is  ~  100 ********m.**

## The  astronauts  were  exposed  to  lunar  dust  in  microgravity  during  their  return  to  Earth.

**The  astronauts  were  exposed  to  lunar  dust  in  microgravity  during  their  return  to  Earth.**

## The  astronauts, capsule  and  samples  from  Apollo  missions  11, 12  and  14  were  placed  into  biological  quarantine  and  transported  to  Houston.

**The  astronauts, capsule  and  samples  from  Apollo  missions  11, 12  and  14  were  placed  into  biological  quarantine  and  transported  to  Houston.**

## The  samples  were  tested  for  evidence  of  life  and  biohazards. 

**The  samples  were  tested  for  evidence  of  life  and  biohazards.**

## No  such  evidence  was  found, and  since  1970  lunar  samples  have  been  distributed  to  researchers  and  museums  worldwide.

**No  such  evidence  was  found, and  since  1970  lunar  samples  have  been  distributed  to  researchers  and  museums  worldwide.**

## The  samples  are  curated  in  a  dedicated  facility  at  JSC.

**The  samples  are  curated  in  a  dedicated  facility  at  JSC.**

## Lunar  samples  are  stored  under  nitrogen  gas  in  a  high-  security  vault.

**Lunar  samples  are  stored  under  nitrogen  gas  in  a  high-  security  vault.**

## The  Lunar  Sample  Laboratory  at  JSC  prepares  hundreds  of  samples  each  year  for  scientists  around  the  world.

**The  Lunar  Sample  Laboratory  at  JSC  prepares  hundreds  of  samples  each  year  for  scientists  around  the  world.**

## However, a  large  portion  of  the  original  Apollo  collection  remains  available  for  research.

**However, a  large  portion  of  the  original  Apollo  collection  remains  available  for  research.**

## Scientists  proposing  to  investigate  lunar  materials  should  submit  a  written  request  specifying  the  numbers, types  and  quantities  of  samples  needed  as  well  as  the  planned  use  of  the  samples.  Destructive, as  well  as  non-destructive, investigations  are  permitted.  

- Carlton Allen
- Astromaterials Curator
- Johnson Space Center

**Scientists  proposing  to  investigate  lunar  materials  should  submit  a  written  request  specifying  the  numbers, types  and  quantities  of  samples  needed  as  well  as  the  planned  use  of  the  samples.  Destructive, as  well  as  non-destructive, investigations  are  permitted.  **
**The sample  request  should  be  submitted  to:**
**Dr.  Gary  Lofgren**
**Lunar  Sample  Curator**
**NASA  Johnson  Space  Center**
**Houston, TX  77058**

## Researchers  must  demonstrate  favorable  scientific  peer  review  relevant  to  the  proposed  work.

- Carlton Allen
- Astromaterials Curator
- Johnson Space Center

**Researchers  must  demonstrate  favorable  scientific  peer  review  relevant  to  the  proposed  work.**
**Investigators  proposing  the  application  of  analytical  methodologies  not  previously  applied  to  lunar  samples  should  submit  test  data  obtained  for  simulated  lunar  materials.**

## The  Lunar  Sample  Curator  will  research  the  availability  of  the  requested  samples  and  decide  whether  outside  review  is  required.  For  outside  review, the  Curator  forwards  the  request  to  the  Curation  and  Analysis  Planning  Team  for  Extraterrestrial  Materials  (CAPTEM), a  standing  committee  of  scientists  who  advise  NASA  on  the  care  and  use  of  lunar  samples.

- Carlton Allen
- Astromaterials Curator
- Johnson Space Center

**The  Lunar  Sample  Curator  will  research  the  availability  of  the  requested  samples  and  decide  whether  outside  review  is  required.  For  outside  review, the  Curator  forwards  the  request  to  the  Curation  and  Analysis  Planning  Team  for  Extraterrestrial  Materials  (CAPTEM), a  standing  committee  of  scientists  who  advise  NASA  on  the  care  and  use  of  lunar  samples.**

## Given  CAPTEM  endorsement  and  concurrence  by  NASA  Headquarters, the  Curator  prepares  a  Lunar  Sample  Loan  Agreement  for  signature  by  the  investigator's  institution.  The  agreement  includes  a  security  plan  that  prescribes  precautions  to  minimize  the  chance  of  theft  or  unauthorized  use  of  lunar  samples.  

- Carlton Allen
- Astromaterials Curator
- Johnson Space Center

**Given  CAPTEM  endorsement  and  concurrence  by  NASA  Headquarters, the  Curator  prepares  a  Lunar  Sample  Loan  Agreement  for  signature  by  the  investigator's  institution.  The  agreement  includes  a  security  plan  that  prescribes  precautions  to  minimize  the  chance  of  theft  or  unauthorized  use  of  lunar  samples.  **
**Upon  receipt  of  a  properly  executed  loan  agreement, the  Curator  prepares  the  authorized  samples  and  sends  them  to  the  investigator.**

## An  investigator's  privilege  for  retention  and  use  of  lunar  samples  is  contingent  upon  continued  good  standing  with  the  Lunar  Sample  Curator.  The  investigator  will  remain  in  good  standing  by  fulfilling  the  following  obligations: (1) maintenance  of, and  adherence  to, the  lunar  sample  loan  agreement  and  security  plan; (2) timely  cooperation  with  an  annual  lunar  sample  inventory; and (3) timely  cooperation  with  sample  recalls.

- Carlton Allen
- Astromaterials Curator
- Johnson Space Center

**An  investigator's  privilege  for  retention  and  use  of  lunar  samples  is  contingent  upon  continued  good  standing  with  the  Lunar  Sample  Curator.  The  investigator  will  remain  in  good  standing  by  fulfilling  the  following  obligations: (1) maintenance  of, and  adherence  to, the  lunar  sample  loan  agreement  and  security  plan; (2) timely  cooperation  with  an  annual  lunar  sample  inventory; and (3) timely  cooperation  with  sample  recalls.**

## Questions ?

**Questions ?**