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Article
OSIRIS-REx Contamination Control Strategy and Implementation
Space Science Reviews
  • M. P. Callahan, Boise State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2018
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11214-017-0439-4
Disciplines
Abstract

OSIRIS-REx will return pristine samples of carbonaceous asteroid Bennu. This article describes how pristine was defined based on expectations of Bennu and on a realistic understanding of what is achievable with a constrained schedule and budget, and how that definition flowed to requirements and implementation. To return a pristine sample, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft sampling hardware was maintained at level 100 A/2 and /cm2 of amino acids and hydrazine on the sampler head through precision cleaning, control of materials, and vigilance. Contamination is further characterized via witness material exposed to the spacecraft assembly and testing environment as well as in space. This characterization provided knowledge of the expected background and will be used in conjunction with archived spacecraft components for comparison with the samples when they are delivered to Earth for analysis. Most of all, the cleanliness of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was achieved through communication among scientists, engineers, managers, and technicians.

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Citation Information
M. P. Callahan. "OSIRIS-REx Contamination Control Strategy and Implementation" Space Science Reviews (2018)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael_callahan/12/