ESA - Human Spaceflight and Exploration - Exploration - Mars Sample Return

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Mars Sample Return

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A typical sterilisation process for a lander, in this case Beagle 2. The lander will be heated and cleaned chemically or using an alcohol, depending on the instrument part. A hydrogen peroxide plasma treatment will oxidise biological material and an ultraviolet light irradiation will also help sterilise the instrument's components.

Credits: ESA 2002, Illustration by Medialab

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Artist's view of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) ascent module lifting off from Mars' surface with the Martian soil samples.

Credits: ESA

Mars Sample Return: bridging robotic and human exploration Mars Sample Return: the next step in exploring the Red Planet