Toward Pristine Return: Probabilistic Sample Response Modeling of Vibration Sensing for Planetary Samples

Planetary sample return missions can impose extreme mechanical forces on both spacecraft and the returned samples collected from a planetary surface that they contain. The chain of custody phases from entry/descent/landing to curation each present distinct vibration, shock, and dynamic loads that may compromise sample integrity. Interplanetary sample return missions, from the Apollo program to Stardust, Hayabusa, Hayabusa2, and OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security—Regolith Explorer), have refined capsule design to ensure sample integrity. While much attention has understandably been paid to contamination control, thermal control, and mechanical shock at impact, the role of vibrational monitoring on the sample container itself is less frequently explored; yet, it merits attention. Here, we combine a review of vibration sensor aspects relevant to planetary sample return with a Monte Carlo analysis of how capsule-level vibration may propagate into representative lunar sample types. Using Apollo-derived sample container geometries and a representative multi-frequency capsule vibration environment, we show that sample archetypes can exhibit substantially different dynamic responses to the same vibration input. These results illustrate the value of vibration measurements at or near the sample container for documenting the mechanical environment experienced by returned material and interpretation of potential scientific losses during transport and curation.