Bids requested for Genesis Mission analytical facilities

The Genesis Discovery mission, to be launched in January 2001, will expose ultrapure materials to the solar wind for about 2 years and then return this sample to Earth for isotopic and chemical analysis in terrestrial laboratories. Sample return missions use the best available instrumentation to achieve mission science goals. To complete the Genesis science objectives, advanced instrumentation that surpasses present laboratory sample analysis capabilities is required. Advanced Analytical Instrumentation Facilities (AAIFs) will be created for the mission to ensure that the best analytical instruments are used. This approach also enables broad participation by NASA scientists in solar wind sample return analysis.