Sample survivability for a comet surface sample return mission

We describe experiments conducted to ascertain that a sample collected from a comet can be returned to the surface of the Earth with a minimal loss of scientific information contained in the sample. We consider the sample handling from the point of collection, through the trip back to Earth, and through re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. We show that the volatile compounds, particularly H2O, can be fully removed via sublimation from the solid compounds while maintaining the sample at -30 °C, thus preventing potential chemical reactions between water and minerals or other molecules that may contain critical information about the history of the universe or give insight into the formation of organic molecules. The data show that the vibration environment during the descent through the atmosphere is mild enough that the stratigraphy of the sample will be minimally affected, and that the shock of impact with the ground does not significantly alter either the stratigraphy or the chemistry of the sample.