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Lunar News 1
LunarProspector
Updatesee page 6
Farewell toJim Gooding
see page 8
New LunarSample Display
at theSmithsonian
see page 10
LUNAR NEWS
In This Issue:
No. 61 September 1997
The Lunar News Mission Statement 2
Phone Numbers 2
Meet the Staff! 2
Curator's Comments 3
1997 Summer Highlights 4
Prospecting the Moon 6
Thirteenth Lunar Meteorite Found 7
29th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference 7
Jim Gooding's Farewell 8
New Lunar Sample Display at the Smithsonian 10
How to Request Lunar Samples 12
Accessing the Curatorial Databases 15
2 Lunar News
Lunar News MissionThe purpose of "Lunar News" is to provide a newsletter
forum for facts and opinions about lunar sample studies, lunargeoscience, and the significance of the Moon in solar systemexploration.
Editor's Notes"Lunar News" is published by the Planetary Missions and Materials
Branch, Earth Science & Solar System Exploration Division, JohnsonSpace Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.It is sent free to all interested individuals. To be included on themailing list, write to the address below. Please send to the same addressany comments on "Lunar News" or suggestions for new articles.
Planetary Missions and Materials BranchPhone Numbers
Lunar News EditorAndrea Mosie ........................................................ (281) 483-5769
Newsletter Design and ProductionAnita Dodson ........................................................ (281) 483-5768
Lunar SamplesChuck Meyer ......................................................... (281) 483-3274
Messages and General InformationTari Mitchell ......................................................... (281) 483-5033
Antarctic MeteoritesMarilyn Lindstrom ................................................ (281) 483-5135
Cosmic Dust and LDEFMike Zolensky ...................................................... (281) 483-5128
Loan Agreements and RecordsDale Browne .......................................................... (281) 483-5132
Technical OperationsJim Townsend ....................................................... (281) 483-5331
Contamination ControlDave Lindstrom ..................................................... (281) 483-5012
Planetary Mission Science PayloadsWendell Mendell .................................................. (281) 483-5064Chuck Meyer ......................................................... (281) 483-5133Eileen Stansbery .................................................... (281) 483-5540
Mailing Address: SN2 Lunar Sample Curator, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058-3696 USA
Electronic Mail:Internet: [email protected]
FAX: 281-483-5347
Meetthe Staff!
Carl Allen, Planetary Geologist
Carl Allen is a Planetary Geologiston the staff of the Lunar Curator.He was born in San Antonio andgrew up “back East.” Carl returnedto Texas to study Chemical Physicsat Rice. Shortly after graduation hemet and married Jaclyn, a geologistwho caused him to see the error ofhis ways and turn to geology. Aftera stint in the Navy, the Allensheaded for Arizona where theybrought forth daughter Ruth andCarl’s PhD in planetary science.On a roll by then the family movedon to New Mexico, a postdoc anddaughter Joan. A serious downturnin the outlook for space researchsent the Allens to the HanfordNuclear Reservation in Washingtonfor ten dynamic years of work innuclear and chemical wastedisposal. Carl and Jaclyn returnedto their planetary geology roots in1991, joining the Lockheed staff atJSC to pursue research and scienceeducation.
Much of Carl’s work has focusedon the resources of the Moon andplanets. He demonstrated theextraction of oxygen from lunarsoil and volcanic glass samples aswell as from carbon dioxide, the
continued on page 5
Lunar News 3
Curator'sComments
Chuck MeyerNASA JSC
September 6, 1997
Dear Colleague,
The deadline for requests for lunar samples is September 24. We need
time to research these requests prior to the next meeting of CAPTEM.
Please submit requests to us as soon as possible so that we don’t have
to prepare them all at once for the committee’s consideration.
You may fax your request to (281) 483-5347, but please confirm by
phone at 483-3274. However, you must also submit your official
request (signed) on letterhead to arrive by mail. The official request
should be identical to your faxed request.
Professor James Papike is the new chairman for CAPTEM.
Detailed information on how to request lunar samples can be found at
our web site;
http://www-curator.jsc.nasa.gov/curator/lunar/
samreq/samreq.htm
Sincerely,
Charles Meyer
Acting Curator
On August 1, JimGooding announced thathe had accepted achallenging job manag-ing research at Enron.This abrupt transition hasleft the Curator’s Office intemporary disarray, partlybecause Jim was so good atwhat he did. We havedivided up the activities andwith the help of everyone arecontinuing to try to providethe expected high level ofprofessional service to thecommunity. Dale Browne isacting Branch Chief, whileChuck Meyer is acting LunarSample Curator and EileenStansberry is mission lead. It isthought that JSC may hire a MarsCurator sometime soon to continueto advocate for Mars Sample Returnand advanced curation at JSC.
We have recently prepared anddelivered to the Smithsonian, fournew displays of lunar samples. Theywill be opening a new, improved hallof minerals, that will include first classdisplays of lunar samples. Be sure tovisit. We would like to hear yourimpression.
Lunar Prospector is scheduled to take offnext month (see article on page 6). It is one of the first Discovery missions,done much more cheaply than in the past. They will map the whole Moonfor Th and several other elements. We wish them success. ❑
4 Lunar News
As the end of summer is upon us, there once again was the mad rush to view the "moon rocks" and the lunarprocessing facility. The summer faculty, summer interns,and NRCs all look forward to donning the bunnysuits,hat, gloves, and booties to gaze upon our national trea-sures. Some of them have worked with PIs, scientists,and technicians on small portions of samples over thepast months, but lab tours show the big picture. Theefforts of the men and women who have dedicated somuch of their lives to the care of these samples haveassisted in providing and producing tangible results thathave positively impacted the lives of all human kind. Theprecision handling and special care that is taken topreserve the condition of the rocks makes an impressionto visitors to the lab. ❑
Below: The Lunar Growth Chamber Project is a joint project withSpace Center Houston, Clear Creek ISD, and NASA JSC. Thesestudent participants took a break from planning plant growthexperiments to tour the lunar sample facility.
Top Right: From left to right, JessieHendrick (JSC EEO), Robert Thompson(Intern), Chris Barrett (Intern), and GeriSpratlin (Interpreter) tour the lunar lab.
Bottom Right: Summer Hight SchoolApprentice Research Program (SHARP)students from Booker T. Washington Schoolof Engineering and Clear Lake IntermediateSchool.
1997 SummerHighlights
Lunar News 5
Meet the Staffcontinued from page 2
main component of Mars’ atmo-sphere. With the excitingannouncement of possible relic lifeforms in a martian meteorite, Carlhas turned his work toward thesearch for fossilized bacteria inEarth’s geologic record. Carl andJaclyn recently helped produce apopular planetarium show whichdepicts NASA’s current strategy forthe human exploration of Mars.
Carl serves as the Lunar Curator’sScience Observer, verifying thatinvestigators receive the bestpossible samples for their research.He is also deeply involved in plan-ning for biological screening andcuration of the martian rock andsoil samples scheduled to bereturned early in the next decade.❑
Christopher Barrett, Summer InternHigh School/High Tech Program
My name is Christopher Barrett.I was born on February 8, 1981, inHouston, Texas. I live with my par-ents, Jack and Carol Barrett. I have anolder brother, Michael, who is 20years old. We all live in Clear Lakein the Middlebrook Subdivision. Ilike to go out with my friends andplay basketball. I also like to go outat night and play pool. Next year I
Shannon Colton, Summer Intern
I grew up in Sioux City,Iowa. I now live in San Antonio,Texas. I am the daughter of Sueand Milo Colton, and the sister ofChase, Starlight, and DallasColton.
I received my high schooldiploma from James Madison HighSchool in San Antonio. I amcurrently pursuing a Bachelor ofScience degree in geology at theUniversity of Texas at San Anto-nio, where my professors haveopened my eyes to many facets ofgeology.
Planetary geology, inparticular, has always left me inawe. I remember the day mygeology professor, Dr. EricSwanson, described impact craterson the Moon, near-Earth asteroids,and Antarctic meteorites. Myawareness that Earth is not anisolated entity, but a member of adynamic solar system, has fosteredmy interest in planetary geology.
I have spent two summersworking for Dr. James Gooding atthe Planetary Missions andMaterials Branch, NASA JSC. Dr.Gooding has involved me inprojects that provide tools fordeciphering Martian mineralogy.In both, I have written Excelmacros. One spreadsheet stores
chemical composition data, andplots samples on a graph with theaxes Al/(Al+Mg+Fe) and(Na+K+Ca)/Si; the other storesprincipal wavelength positions andrelative absorption strengths ofminerals anticipated on Mars.While completing these projects, Ihave gained a basic understandingof Martian geochemistry. I alsohelped index documents forarchives maintained by ourdivision. Working here has beenthe most challenging, and fulfillingexperience of my life; I am nowdedicated to a career in planetarygeology.
In my spare time I enjoyvisiting parks, camping, and hikingin northern New Mexico.
I plan to graduate in thesummer of 1998, and attend grad-uate school in planetary geologythe following Fall. ❑
will be a Junior at Clear Lake HighSchool. I cannot wait to graduatehigh school and go to college. I wantto work at NASA and become a Engi-neer (or something like that). I thinkit’s pretty interesting when some newdiscoveries are made! I would like tosee some new things that people havenever seen or heard of. Being a HighSchool-High Tech. student gives megood experience for the future and itwill look very good on my résumé. Ithink it’s a good idea to work aroundNASA. I’m glad that I had thisopportunity! ❑
6 Lunar News
Prospecting the Moonby John GruenerLockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services
Lunar sample analyses have oftenbeen used to correlate lunar remotesensing data from spacecraft andearth-based measurements. Duringthe Apollo program, roughly 20%of the lunar surface was chemicallymapped from orbit by scientificinstruments in the command/service module. More recently,data from the Galileo andClementine spacecraft haveincreased our knowledge ofthe global chemicalcomposition of the lunarsurface. Now, LunarProspector is readyto continue theexploration of ournearest planetaryneighbor. Is therewater ice on themoon? How didthe Moon evolve?Are there resourceson the Moon thatcould be used by futurehuman explorers? Theseare only a few of thequestions Lunar Prospectorhopes to answer.
On October 24, LunarProspector will be launched on athree-stage Lockheed-MartinLaunch Vehicle Two (LMLV2)from Spaceport Florida’s Pad 46 atCape Canaveral. This will be thefirst commercial launch from theFlorida Spaceport complex and thefirst spacecraft that NASA has sentto the Moon since the Apolloprogram. One hour after launch, aStar 37 solid rocket motor willprovide the trans-lunar injection
(TLI) burn over Borneo and theSouth Pacific that will propelProspector towards the Moon.During the approximately 123 hourflight to the Moon, Prospector willestablish its cruise attitude, deployits science booms, turn on thescience instruments, and fires its
onboard thrusters to correct anylaunch errors.
As it nears the Moon, Prospectorwill fire its onboard thrusters toaccomplish lunar orbit insertion(LOI). Initially, Prospector will beplaced in a 12-hour elliptical lunarorbit. The spacecraft will then belowered to a 3.5-hour elliptical
orbit, and finally to 100 kmcircular polar orbit. This polarorbit will have an orbital period of118 minutes and will be theprimary mapping orbit for LunarProspector’s one year mission.
Dr. Alan Binder of the LunarResearch Institute (LRI) is thePrincipal Investigator for the LunarProspector mission and leads theproject team that includes person-nel from NASA, Lockheed-Martin,Los Alamos National Laboratory,JPL, the University of California atBerkeley, and the University ofArizona. The Lunar Prospectormission will be controlled from
Ames ResearchCenter.
Dr. Binder designedLunar Prospector’s
science payloadto address
many of thehighestpriorityexperi-mentsproposedfor lunarmappingmissions
byNASA’s
LunarExploration
ScienceWorking Group
(LExSWG). In additionto their scientific value, the
instruments were also chosenbased on their ability to operate ona simple, spin-stabilized spacecraft,and for their low mass, power, anddata rate requirements.
The instrument that will likelygenerate the most interest early inthe mission is the neutron spec-trometer (NS). The primary goal ofthis experiment is to map the
Lunar News 7
hydrogen abundance on the lunarsurface, and in particular locatewater ice deposits that may bepresent in the permanentlyshadowed regions near the lunarpoles. The sensitivity of NS is suchthat it can detect a cup full of waterin one cubic meter of regolith.Two other spectrometers withApollo heritage will also be flyingon Prospector. The gamma rayspectrometer (GRS) will gather dataon the distribution of the elementsU, Th, K, Fe, Ti, Si, O, and Al in thelunar surface to a depth of > 10 cm.It may also be possible to map thedistribution of Ca and Mg. TheProspector GRS bismuth-germanatecrystal is about twice as sensitiveas the Apollo sodium-iodide GRS.The third spectrometer is an alphaparticle spectrometer (APS) andwill be used to detect releases ofradioactive 222Rn and 210Po gas.Though these gases are released invery small amounts (as measuredby the Apollo APS), it is believedthat they could act as tracer gasesfor other carrier gases such as N2,CO, CO2 that may be coming out ofthe Moon in larger, useableamounts. While Lunar Prospectoris in its 100 km orbit, the spatialresolution of the three spectrom-eters will be about 150 km.However, a lower orbit in anextended mission could improvethis resolution.
Other science experiments that willbe conducted by Lunar Prospectorinclude mapping the globalmagnetic and gravity environ-ments. The magnetometer/electronreflectometer (MAG/ER) willmeasure the magnetic field flux atboth the orbital altitude and on thelunar surface. The MAG measuresvector fields at orbital altitudeswith about 0.01 nT accuracy andthus provides the directions of thelunar fields. ER magnetometry is aremote sensing technique to map
the surface magnetic field strengthwith high spatial resolution (downto about 3 km) and very highsensitivity (about 0.01 nT at thesurface averaged over the resolu-tion element). Data from themagnetic experiments will alsoaddress the issues of magneticanomalies on the lunar surface andthe existence of a lunar core.Finally, the Doppler shift ofProspector’s communicationssignal will be used to map theglobal lunar gravity field, which isknown to be non-uniform as aresult of mass concentrationsdistributed below the surface of themoon. The Doppler data will havea surface resolution of 200 km fromthe nominal 100 km mapping orbit.
If all goes well during the primarymapping mission, an extendedmission will have Prospectorlowering its orbit to get betterspatial resolution for the scienceinstruments. One possibility wouldbe to put the spacecraft into anelliptical orbit with periselenealtitudes down to 10 km. Thiswould greatly enhance locatingany ice deposits detected in thepolar regions or correlating gasrelease events or magnetic anoma-lies with specific surface features.
You can follow the Lunar Prospec-tor mission or lunar exploration ingeneral at these websites:
NASA Ames Research Centerhttp://lunarprospector.arc.nasa.gov
Lockheed Martinhttp://juggler.lmsc.lockheed.com/ lunar
Lunar and Planetary Institutehttp://www.lpi.usra.edu/moon.html
International Lunar ExplorationWorking Grouphttp://ilewg.jsc.nasa.gov ❑
ThirteenthLunarMeteoriteFound
Bischoff and Weber havereported that a meteorite from theMoon was found in the SaharaDesert on March 23 of this year(Meteor. & Planet. Sci., 32, A13).It is 7.3 cm in largest dimensionand weighs 513 grams. It is amoderately weathered, polymictbreccia apparently from the lunarhighlands. Its clast population isdominated by feldspathic clasts.It is cut by veins of impact glass.The name of this sample of theMoon is Dar Al Gani 262. It isapparently owned by a privatedealer in Germany.
The 29th Lunarand PlanetaryScienceConference
March 16-20, 1998Houston, Texas
You are encouraged to submitideas and suggestions for plenaryor theme sessions to either DavidBlack at [email protected] Doug Blanchard [email protected] byOct. 6, 1997 so they can beconsidered, planned, andpublicized.
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/LPSC98/
8 Lunar News
In August the curation troops werestunned by Jim Gooding’s suddenannouncement that he was leaving.After serving as the seventh LunarSample Curator, since January1992, and as Chief of the PlanetaryMissions and Materials Branch,since June 1994, Jim Goodingresigned from NASA service onAugust 15, 1997 to pursue a newcareer as Research Manager,Capital and Trade Resources, forthe Enron Corporation.*
After moving from the Jet Propul-sion Laboratory to JSC in 1981,Jim served in a succession of rolesas a planetary materials curatorwhile separately pursuing originalresearch on the thermodynamicproperties of meteoritic mineralsand the mineralogy of water-based
precipitates in Martian meteorites.Jim says he feels privileged to haveheld significant responsibilities inthe interplanetary dust andmeteorite programs as well as thelunar program. As Lunar SampleCurator, Jim encouraged technicalinnovation. One of his centralthemes was modernization ofcuratorial facilities to includeexpanded use of computers toarchive and distribute electronicdata records. All facets of JSCsample curation have beenenriched by Jim’s expertise—cosmic dust, meteorites, lunarsamples.
As Chief of the Planetary Missionsand Materials Branch, he empha-sized preparation for future sample-return missions, including several
candidates under the Discoveryprogram as well as the larger scopeof Mars sample return. Gooding’shighly-respected knowledge ofmeteorites and Martian alterationproducts made him an effectivespokesperson for sample science inplanning Mars sample returnmissions, especially future samplecuration.
Although Jim remains keenlyinterested in planetary exploration,he decided to accept an unex-pected opportunity for professionaland personal growth in privateindustry. In his new position withEnron, Jim and his team areresponsible for gathering, filtering,analyzing, and reporting real-timemarket intelligence relating toglobal energy supply and demand,including the development and useof proprietary electronic databasesand analytical tools.
Jim was glowing with enthusiasmfor the challenge, and the curationfolk did indeed celebrate his newgood fortune and commemorate his
Jim Gooding Launches NewCareer in Energy Industry
Left: Jim slices cake at hs formal goingaway party at JSC.
Lunar News 9
accomplishments with a formalgoing away party followed the nextday by a much less formal occasionfor the curation “family.”
At the official gathering, Jim waspresented with photos and memen-tos of his service to the planetaryscience community on behalf of anover-capacity crowd of well-wishers. Later the “family”transformed the conference roominto a 1960s coffeehouse in whichyoung student, Jim Gooding, has aconversation with young student,Bill Clinton, and both are enter-tained by singing groups bearing avery distant resemblance to Peter,Paul and Mary, and Bob Dylan. Agood time was had by all.
Jim’s departure leaves a very bigvacancy in the leadership ofsample curation and Mars samplereturn curation planning, resultingin anticipated reorganization of thecuration and sample returnfunction. To say ‘he will bemissed’ is a classic understatement.Jim departs with sample curation ingood order, leaving a legacy ofhonesty, keeping promises, servingcustomers and highest regard forthe integrity of the sample collec-tions.
For those of us in curation, Jim hasbeen a leader, advisor and friend.We are grateful for his contribu-tions. He can be reached by e-mailat [email protected]. ❑
*Enron Corp., based in Houston, is oneof the world’s largest integrated naturalgas and electricity companies.
Right: The Peter, Paul, and Marysoundalikes: from left to right, LindaWatts, Bill Williams, Cecilia Satterwhite,Andrea Mosie, and Kim Willis.
Young Bill Clinton (Carl Allen) chatswith Gooding after party.
Singer Bob Z. Gooding (Rene Martinez) and hisback-up singers Tari Mitchell (L) and AnitaDodson (R).
Right: Young Jim Gooding (EileenStansbery, right) and coffee housewaitress (Jackie Allen, left).
Planning for Mars Sample ReturnPaperless Documentation & Archiving
Electronic Communication - On the Internet!New Technology Cleaning with Ultra Pure Water
Stricter Sample AccountingOrderly Planning Process
Jim Gooding's Legacyto Planetary Sample Curation
10 Lunar News
New Lunar Sample Displayat the SmithsonianJanet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and MineralsOpens September 20, 1997At The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
“The Janet Annenberg Hooker Hallof Geology, Gems, and Minerals,the most comprehensive Earthscience complex of its kindcontaining some of the mostdazzling gems and crystals in theworld, opens at the Smithsonian’sNational Museum of NaturalHistory at noon on Saturday,September 20, 1997.”
“The 20,000-square foot hall,closed since 1995 for therenovation, features the renownedHope Diamond along with themuseum’s unparalleled collectionof gemstones and jewelry pieces,including important new donationsnever displayed before. Theexhibition also contains 2,500minerals and gems in spectacularcolors and shapes, about a third ofwhich are on public view for thefirst time; a re-creation of fourmines, lit by state of the art fiberoptics, with dioramas that showhow minerals appear underground;a major new exhibition on platetectonics, demonstrating how thesliding and shifting of Earth platescause earthquakes and volcanoesand showing the world’s “hotspots”; and a gallery devoted tothe moon, meteorites and the solarsystem, where visitors will be ableto touch meteorites, in addition todiscovering moon rocks and otherout-of-this world objects.”*
The Moon, Meteorite and SolarSystem Gallery is an exploration ofthe birth of our solar system and itsevolution, through films, computerinteractives and touchablespecimens. This gallery featuresfour lunar samples representing thelunar crust, mare basalts andimpact breccias. They weremounted in triangular, glass prismsin nitrogen cabinets in the LunarSample Facility at NASA JSC.Although the samples had beenprepared some months, the newdisplay cases came together onlyshortly before the deadline,resulting in a massive team effort toget the displays ready in time. The
displays were hand carried toWashington by four couriers whoused charm, diplomacy and brutestrength (the sample boxes arebulky and heavy) to personallyconvey the samples throughairports and airplane. The courierswere met at Washington NationalAirport by Smithsonian curatorTim McCoy. The samples werereceived at the Smithsonian byGlenn MacPherson and staff whowere eagerly awaiting their arrival.The lunar displays were mountedinto the Smithsonian’s gallery thefollowing morning withappropriate ceremony!
The new exhibit is a wonderfulshowing of the world’s mostfamous meteorites and examples ofeach meteorite class are set in thecontext of planetary evolution. Forexample, five-foot polished slabsof irons are not only beautiful, butserve to illustrate grain sizevariation. Planetary processes andinteriors are enhanced by bringingfield specimens into the exhibithall - an actual K-T boundarysection from Raton, New Mexico,and San Andreas fault cross-sectionare on display. The Smithsonian’splanning and effort since 1989 hasresulted in an excellent exhibit,which is worth a special trip toWashington to experience.
Lunar sample 15555,880. A mediumgrained olivine mare basalt.
Lunar News 11
MacPherson sent his thanks to JimGooding for his assistance in theinitial work and planning of thisrequest, CAPTEM for theirapproval and Doug Blanchard andhis staff.
*Information from a Press releasefrom the Smithsonian Institute(NMNH)
Left: Final stages of sample displayinstallation.
Above: Glenn McPherson (on right) isassisting in the installation of the lunardisplay sample.
Right: Putting on the final touches tothe new lunar sample display.
Left: Tari Mitchell andAndrea Mosie previewthe exhibit.
Display AssemblyLinda WattsKathleen McBrideCarol SchwarzAndrea Mosie
Operations SupportTerry ParkerBill WilliamsRon BastienBilly SatterwhiteJimmy HolderEd Cornitius
CouriersAndrea MosieKathleen McBrideLisa PrejeanTari Mitchell
Curatorial SupportDale BrowneJim Townsend
12 Lunar News
(step A) should be attached to thesample request. Each new investi-gator should also submit a résumé.
Investigators proposing theapplication of new analyticalmethodologies (not previouslyapplied to lunar samples) alsoshould submit test data obtainedfor simulated lunar materials. Newinvestigators who are not familiarwith lunar materials should consultLunar Sourcebook: A User’s Guideto the Moon (G. Heiken, D.Vaniman, and B. M. French, Eds.;Cambridge University Press, 736pp.; 1991; ISBN 0-521-33444-6) asthe best available reference on thechemical and physical properties oflunar materials.
Investigators with access to theWorld Wide Web on the Internetalso can find updated informationat the following URL: http://www-sn.jsc.nasa.gov/curator/curator.htm.The home page cited aboveprovides links to sample databasesand other information of use tosample requestors.
C. The Lunar SampleCurator will research the avail-ability of the requested samplesand decide whether a unilateralaction can be taken or an outsidescientific review is required.Outside review is prescribed for allnew investigators and for mostestablished investigators exceptwhere returned (previously used)samples are being requested. Foroutside review, the Curatorforwards the original request, withbackground information, to theCuration and Analysis PlanningTeam for Extraterrestrial Materials(CAPTEM), a standing committeeof scientists who advise NASA on
directly pertain to the specificsample requested.
B. The investigator submits awritten request specifying thenumbers, types, and quantities oflunar samples needed as well asthe planned use of the samples.For planetary science studies, thesample request should be submit-ted directly to the Lunar SampleCurator at the following address:
Dr. Charles MeyerSN2/Acting Lunar Sample CuratorNASA/Johnson Space CenterHouston, TX 77058-3696USATelephone: (281) 483-3274Fax: (281) 483-5347
For engineering and resource-utilization studies, the samplerequest should be submitted to theLunar Simulant Curator at thefollowing address:
Dr. Douglas W. MingSN4/Lunar Simulant CuratorNASA/Johnson Space CenterHouston, TX 77058-3696USATelephone: (281) 483-5839Fax: (281) 483-5347
The Lunar Simulant Curatorwill assure that all necessarydemonstration tests with simulatedlunar materials have been satisfac-torily completed. Requestsdetermined to be sufficientlymature to warrant consideration foruse of lunar materials will then beforwarded to the Lunar SampleCurator.
For new investigators, tangibleevidence of favorable peer review
NASA policies define lunarsamples as a limited nationalresource and future heritage andrequire that samples be releasedonly for approved applications inresearch, education, and publicdisplay. To meet that responsibil-ity, NASA carefully screens allsample requests with most of thereview processes being focused atthe Johnson Space Center (JSC).Individuals requesting a lunarsample should follow the stepsgiven below for the appropriatecategory of sample.
1. RESEARCH SAMPLES(including thin sections)
NASA provides lunar rock,soil, and regolith-core samples forboth destructive and non-destruc-tive analysis in pursuit of newscientific knowledge. Requests areconsidered for both basic studies inplanetary science and appliedstudies in lunar materialsbeneficiation and resource utiliza-tion.
A. The sample investigatordemonstrates favorable scientificpeer review of the proposed workinvolving lunar samples. Therequired peer review can bedemonstrated in either of twoways: (1) A formal researchproposal recommended by NASA'sLunar and Planetary GeosciencesReview Panel (LPGRP) or anequivalent scientific peer-reviewpanel, within the past three years;(2) Submittal of reprints of scien-tific articles, as published in peer-reviewed professional journals that
How to Request Lunar SamplesRevised: August 1996
Lunar News 13
3. EDUCATIONALSAMPLES
(disks and educationalthin sections)
A. DisksSmall samples of representa-
tive lunar rocks and soils, embed-ded in rugged acrylic disks suitablefor classroom use, are madeavailable for short-term loan toqualified school teachers. Eachteacher must become a certifieduser of the disks through a brieftraining program prior to receivinga disk. Educational sample disksare distributed on a regional basisfrom NASA field centers locatedacross the United States. Forfurther details, prospectiverequestors should contact thenearest NASA facility as follows:
IF YOU LIVE IN:Alaska NevadaArizona OregonCalifornia UtahHawaii WashingtonIdaho WyomingMontana
NASA Teacher Resource CenterMail Stop T12-ANASA Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, CA 94035-1000Phone: (415) 604-3574
IF YOU LIVE IN:Connecticut New HampshireDelaware New JerseyNew York MainePennsylvania MarylandRhode Island MassachusettsVermontDistrict of Columbia
NASA Teacher Resource LaboratoryMail Code 130.3NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbelt, MD 20771-0001Phone: (301) 286-8570
2. PUBLIC DISPLAYSAMPLES
NASA provides for a limitednumber of rock samples to be usedfor either short-term and long-termdisplays at museums, planetariums,expositions, or professional eventsthat are open to the public.Requests for such display samplesare administratively handled by theJSC Public Affairs Office (PAO).Requestors located in the UnitedStates should apply in writing tothe following address:
Mr. Boyd E. MounceLunar Sample SpecialistAP4/Public Services BranchNASA/Johnson Space CenterHouston, TX 77058-3696Telephone: (281) 483-8623Fax: (281) 483-4876
Mr. Mounce will advisesuccessful applicants regardingprovisions for receipt, display, andreturn of the samples. All loanswill be preceded by a signed loanagreement executed betweenNASA and the requestor’s organi-zation. Mr. Mounce will coordi-nate the preparation of new displaysamples with the Lunar SampleCurator.
the care and use of lunar samples.CAPTEM checks for favorable peerreview (step A) and appropriatesample selection (step B).
D. Given CAPTEM endorse-ment and concurrence by NASAHeadquarters, the Lunar SampleCurator will prepare a LunarSample Loan Agreement forsignature by the investigator’sinstitution . The agreementincludes a simple security plan thatprescribes precautions to minimizeprospects for theft or unauthorizeduse of lunar samples.
E. Upon receipt of theproperly executed loan agree-ment, the Lunar Sample Curatorprepares the authorized samplesand sends them to the investiga-tor. Quantities less than 10 gramscan be sent directly by U. S.registered mail to domesticinvestigators. Shipments toforeign investigators are sent byU. S. diplomatic pouch mail to theAmerican embassy nearest therequestor’s location. Quantitieslarger than 10 grams must be hand-carried by the investigator or his/her representative.
F. Continuation as a LunarSample Investigator. Aninvestigator's privilege for reten-tion and use of lunar samples iscontingent upon continued goodstanding with the Office of theCurator. The investigator willremain in good standing byfulfilling the following obliga-tions: (1) Maintenance of, andadherence to, the lunar sample loanagreement and security plan; (2)Timely cooperation with annuallunar sample inventory; (3) Timelycooperation with sample recalls.
14 Lunar News
IF YOU LIVE IN:Colorado North DakotaKansas OklahomaNebraska South DakotaNew Mexico Texas
NASA Teacher Resource RoomMail Code AP-4NASA Johnson Space CenterHouston, TX 77058-3696Phone: (281) 483-8696
IF YOU LIVE IN:FloridaGeorgiaPuerto RicoVirgin Islands
NASA Educators Resource LaboraroryMail Code ERLNASA Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center, FL 32899-0001Phone: (407) 867-4090
IF YOU LIVE IN:KentuckyNorth Carolina
NASA Teacher Resource Center for Marshall Space Flight CenterU.S. Space and Rocket CenterP.O. Box 070015Huntsville, AL 35807-7015Phone: (205) 544-5812
IF YOU LIVE IN:Mississippi
NASA Teacher Resource CenterBuilding 1200NASA John C. Stennis SpaceCenterStennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000Phone: (601) 688-3338
B. Thin SectionsNASA prepared thin sections
of representative lunar rocks onrectangular 1 x 2-inch glass slides,with special safety frames, that aresuitable for use in college anduniversity courses in petrology andmicroscopic petrography foradvanced geology students. Eachset of 12 slides is accompanied bya sample disk (described above)and teaching materials. Thetypical loan period is two weeks,including round-trip shipping time.Each requestor must apply inwriting, on college or universityletterhead, to the followingaddress:
SN2/Lunar Sample CuratorNASA/Johnson Space CenterHouston, TX 77058-3696Telephone: (281) 483-3274Fax: (281) 483-5347
For each approved user, theCurator will prepare a loanagreement to be executed betweenNASA and the requestor’s institu-tion prior to shipment of the thin-section package. ❑
South CarolinaVirginiaWest Virginia
NASA Teacher Resource Center for Langley Research CenterVirginia Air and Space Center600 Settler's Landing RoadHampton, VA 23669-4033Phone: (804) 727-0900 x757
IF YOU LIVE IN:llinois MinnesotaIndiana OhioMichigan Wisconsin
NASA Teacher Resource CenterMail Stop 8-1NASA Lewis Research Center21000 Brookpark RoadCleveland, OH 44135-3191Phone: (216) 433-2017
IF YOU LIVE IN:Alabama LouisianaArkansas MissouriIowa Tennessee
Lunar News 15
Accessing theJSC SN2 Curatorial Databases
The curatorial databases may be accessed as follows:
Via INTERNET 1) Type TELNET 139.169.126.35 or TELNET CURATE.JSC.NASA.GOV.2) Type PMPUBLIC at the USERNAME: prompt.
Via WWW 1) Using a Web browser, such as Mosaic, open URL http://www-curator.jsc.nasa.gov2) Activate the Curatorial Databases link.
Via modem The modem may be between 1200 and 19200 baud; no parity;8 data bits; and 1 stop bit. If you are calling long distance, thearea code is 713.1) Dial 483-2500 for 1200-9600 bps, V.32bis/V.42bis, or 483-9498 for 1200-19200 bps, V.32bis/V.42bis.2) Once the connection is made, press <CR>. Type INS in response to the Enter Number: prompt.3) Press <CR> twice quickly until the XYPLEX#> prompt displays.4) Type C CURATE.JSC.NASA.GOV at the XYPLEX#> prompt.5) Type PMPUBLIC at the USERNAME: prompt.
For problems or additional information, you may contact: Claire Dardano, LockheedMartin Space Mission Systems and Services, (281) 483-5329,[email protected].
Visit the Curator's home page by opening the URLhttp://www-curator.jsc.nasa.gov
