ESA Document - Emits - ESA

s
Returning the samples to the SHM raises the following issues:
HMM
Assessment Study
Report: CDF-20(A)
February 2004
page 322 of 422
• For SHM in situ analysis, a Category V-compliant ‘glovebox’ is required.
• Equivalent to Bio-safety Level 4+ facilities on Earth (these are not even possible
on Earth).
• Specialist training required for Crew?
• All analysis equipment contained and remains within the glovebox.
Given the sample handling constraint the samples are to remain outside the habitable volume:
• The ‘glovebox’ must be integrated onto the external wall of the facility (possibly in the
airlock for additional safety) with external direct access for depositing samples or
alternatively a sealed unit external to SHM with real-time manipulator arm (less
preferable).
• glovebox provides a direct barrier to Mars.
• No bio-lock, glovebox access door or additional tooling required to place samples in
‘glovebox’.
This methodology will lead to a complex and fairly massive system that must allow access for
the EVA astronauts to place the samples inside, but also provide a complete barrier to the
habitable volume whilst allowing the astronaut inside the habitable volume to be able to see,
manipulate and test the samples.
4.3.9.2.1 Modifications to sample handling constraint
Modifying the constraint will allow the samples to enter the habitable volume:
• Samples transferred to internal ‘glovebox’ for analysis.
• Glovebox becomes an isolated workbench in the habitable volume
• All samples must be contained in hermetically sealed containers for transfer to the
‘glovebox’.
• ‘Bio-lock’ required at the external wall for samples.
• Additional tooling required within the glovebox to break container seal
• Glovebox has a bio-lock door for access- larger contamination risk.
Allowing the samples into the habitable volume for in situ analysis leads to a more complex
system involving the requirement to seal and than access the samples once inside the ‘glovebox’.
Due to complexity of sample handling (Integration of glovebox to external wall) and the Biosafety
level requirement, in situ analysis of samples will be limited to (remote/EVA) microscope
and IR spectrometry analysis to aid in the selection of appropriate samples.
Returning the gathered samples to Earth requires the samples to be transferred between vehicles.
If the sample handling constraint is obeyed, the following schematic for the sample transfer
results, shown in Figure 4-63.