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
arXiv:2007.08603
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.
A White Paper submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032