Meteorite collection follows a system developed over the past 25 years that allows for the most efficient search over a wide area with the minimum of logistical support. The teams are self-sufficient in terms of equipment, fuel, food, and other materials, and are housed in tents. From the landing site, the field team moves to a meteorite-stranding surface, where systematic searching begins. The transects are arranged to provide significant overlap making it less likely that specimens will be missed and minimizing exposure to uncomfortable crosswinds which affect visibility. Many meteorite-stranding surfaces require several years to search because of their size.
Training helps ensure consistent recovery methods from year to year.
This, in turn, ensures that the sum of collected meteorites from a given icefield constitute an unbiased sample of the meteorites. The sample is then collected in a sterile Teflon bag, with care being taken to avoid contact with any mechanical or biological materials. While the field season is in progress, these samples are carefully inventoried and kept frozen. There the meteorites are carefully removed from their sealed bags, dried to remove any attached snow or ice, and stored under cleanroom conditions. Small chips are then broken off for initial classification, by curatorial staff at both JSC and at the Smithsonian Institution.