NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Solar System Division, Washington, has selected the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M., for a grant to support the Sample Return Laboratory Instruments and Data Analysis Program.

The grant is for research to ensure the maximum scientific return from the samples provided by Discovery missions such as GENESIS and STARDUST. Researchers will develop the laboratory instrumentation and advanced analytical techniques required for the complete analyses of the samples. The maximum value of the grant is $918,587.

The research also supports the Vision for Space Exploration, NASA’s long- term plan to return astronauts to the moon and extend exploration to Mars and beyond.

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