Small Bodies Tell the Story of the Solar System: A Scientific Rationale for a Multi-Target Small Body Sample Return Program including the Earth-based Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples

TL;DR

This paper advocates for a comprehensive small body sample return program, emphasizing the importance of both space missions and laboratory analysis to unlock the history of the solar system through primitive and evolved materials.

Contribution

It presents a scientific rationale for a multi-target small body sample return initiative, integrating mission planning with laboratory analysis for solar system history.

Findings

Small bodies serve as time-capsules of solar system history.

Sample return enables detailed laboratory analysis of primitive materials.

A coordinated program enhances understanding of solar system evolution.

Abstract

Small bodies are time-capsules of different eras of solar system history from the most primitive materials within the solar system to evolved pieces of larger bodies. A small body sample return program is an essential component of small body exploration, and such a program should include opportunities for both missions and laboratory analysis.