Sample Return Missions

12 Sep
2020
September 12, 2020

Luna 16: The First Robotic Sample Return

While remote sensing techniques are useful in determining the composition of other worlds, the Rosetta Stone for planetary scientists is actual samples which can be subjected […]
Lunar & Planetary Missions, Spaceflight, Unmanned Spaceflight
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19 Jul
2019
July 19, 2019

Luna 15: The Soviet Union’s Last Lunar Gamble

As the historic Apollo 11 mission was heading to the Moon, a bit of space drama was unfolding before the eyes of the world. Just three […]
Lunar & Planetary Missions, Spaceflight, Unmanned Spaceflight
7 Comments
18 Aug
2016
August 18, 2016

Luna 24: The Last Soviet Lunar Sample Return Mission

Every now and then, we have the opportunity to touch a piece of history. One of the more memorable of such moments for me came in […]
Lunar & Planetary Missions, Spaceflight, Unmanned Spaceflight
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29 May
2015
May 29, 2015

Sampling the Surface of Europa

For the better part of a quarter of a century, Jupiter’s ice-covered moon Europa has caught the attention of scientists and the lay public alike. Although […]
Astrobiology, Astrobiology Missions, Lunar & Planetary Missions, Solar System, Spaceflight
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27 Mar
2014
March 27, 2014

A Europa-Io Sample Return Mission

A couple of weeks ago the Obama Administration released its proposed budget for FY2015.  NASA’s budget (which is almost certainly subject to change by Congress as […]
Astrobiology Missions, Lunar & Planetary Missions, Solar System, Spaceflight
5 Comments