#MarsSampleReturn

Did life ever exist on Mars? How did it evolve? #MarsSampleReturn could be transformative for the science community by enabling generations of scientists to study Mars rocks in labs on Earth and provide answers to these centuries-old questions.

Up ahead: “Three Forks.” The spot where I’ll drop a set of samples that the #MarsSampleReturn missions could bring back to Earth for closer study. This first set is full of diverse rocks that could help answer if life ever arose here. Learn more:

A sample that's even more intriguing on the inside! 🔍 @NASAPersevere’s 23rd sample contains hydrated silica, which on Earth, has the highest potential to preserve signs of past microbial life. #MarsSampleReturn could bring this sample to Earth for further study.

And that's 🔟! With a final tube drop, I’ve completed the diverse backup set of samples I’m setting down. Future #MarsSampleReturn robots could come for these, or if all goes well, I’ll have lots more fascinating stuff in hand when they get here. More:

What happens if a spacecraft hits a rock when it lands on Mars? #MarsSampleReturn teams at JPL are testing a variety of scenarios to see how the Sample Return Lander could withstand a "stubbed toe" landing.

.@NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle could be the first rocket fired off the surface of another planet. Learn more about the progress we’re making toward bringing Martian samples to Earth with #MarsSampleReturn:

Some of you are wondering about the samples I’m putting down. Could the Martian wind blow them away, or cover them with sand over time? Here’s why my team’s not worried: (🧵)

Not only do we expect the sample tubes not to be covered up, but I’m also very carefully documenting exactly where I put them down. So going back to them again later shouldn’t be an issue.

If all goes to plan, this backup set will stay here while I deliver my primary set (incl. other samples still to come) directly to the lander, as seen below. One way or another, #MarsSampleReturn should get some amazing stuff to send back for closer study.

How do we choose which Martian rocks to sample? On Earth, we know certain rocks can preserve signs of life. On Mars, @NASAPersevere is trying to find rocks with similar features to get the best samples that could one day make it to Earth for #MarsSampleReturn.

These two samples are not like the others 🧐 Containing loose material that's been transported by Martian wind, these samples help us *literally* cover more ground in #MarsSampleReturn's search for signs of ancient microbial life.

When @NASAPersevere took its first sample on Mars, the team got something a bit unexpected. Meet Sample 1 – "Roubion" – and learn how the team collected this valuable sample for #MarsSampleReturn.

Crystals, carbonates, and hydration – oh my!💧 These igneous rock samples collected by @NASAPersevere contain minerals that offer clues to Mars' watery past. #MarsSampleReturn is under development to bring those samples to Earth where scientists could study them up close.

One small drop for humankind. @NASAPersevere has deposited the first of several samples onto the Martian surface! The #MarsSampleReturn mission could deliver some of these samples to Earth for in-depth analysis.

And then there were 🔟. Scattered around an ancient river delta, 10 tubes lay around the @NASAPersevere rover, filled with samples that could help answer if life ever arose on #Mars. First sample depot on another world for #MarsSampleReturn, completed:

It’s #BackToSchool time! 📚 We love to make science and space exploration relevant (and fun!) for educators, parents, and students. Here's a sampling of the many educational resources and projects from @NASA. 🧵 1/6

Solar eclipses are coming 😎 Portions of the U.S., Central America, and Canada will experience two eclipses in October 2023 and April 2024. Create an eclipse model to learn about the different types of this celestial phenomena: (3/6)

Into coding?💻 Construct and code a model of a device capable of bringing Martian rocks to Earth! Designed with #MarsSampleReturn in mind, this activity allows groups to use multiple coding languages so that codes at all levels can participate. (4/6)

As of today, I’ve ridden the Red Planet around our Sun one whole time. Highlights from my first Mars year: ✅Explore vast crater floor ✅Collect 18 samples ✅Examine ancient river delta ✅Start laying down samples for #MarsSampleReturn Many adventures still ahead, so...onward!

One small sample tube. Built on Earth by caring humans; filled on Mars by an inquisitive robot. Now it sits waiting for a potential pickup and return journey, not many years from now. #MarsSampleReturn Read more:

Here is your #marssamplereturn scorecard. Samples collected thus far by @NASAPersevere (thanks to @cirquelar). Green boxes around the samples we are starting to put down in the first sample depot. Depot spot is near the “RV” in “Observation Mountain”.

I have two more rock samples to show you! Here’s a look at Samples No. 14 and 15. I took these from a rock that my science team thinks has good potential to preserve signs of ancient life. Would be great to send samples like these back to Earth by #MarsSampleReturn!

How can a rock be a treasure box? When it's made up of smaller grains that were transported from places @NASAPersevere will never be able to visit, offering insights into more areas of Mars. With #MarsSampleReturn, we could study these samples up close.

Another tube drop makes eight out of 10! Reminder: this set I’m dropping is a backup. Plan A: I deliver the samples I’m still carrying (and others still to come) directly to #MarsSampleReturn. But if I can’t, this set alone would be worth sending back.