CAPTEM
CHARTER
The Curation and Analysis Planning Team for Extraterrestrial Materials (CAPTEM) oversees the care and distribution of all extraterrestrial samples collected by NASA. The CAPTEM serves as a community-based, interdisciplinary forum for analysis in support of matters concerning the Apollo lunar samples, as well as other returned extraterrestrial samples such as those from the Genesis and Stardust missions. CAPTEM also serves as a forum for planning for future sample return missions. It further supports lunar exploration objectives and their implications for lunar architecture planning and activity prioritization for future exploration. Findings of analyses are provided to NASA through the NASA Advisory Council (the Council) within which the CAPTEM Chair is a member of the Planetary Science Subcommittee.
The Chair of the CAPTEM is appointed to a two year term by the NASA Administrator in consultation with the Council Chair following consultation with Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) Associate Administrators, as well as with the Exploration and Science Committee and the Planetary Science Subcommittee Chairs of the Council. Members will be nominated for Council Chair approval by the CAPTEM Chair and in consultation with the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Curator and the Director of the Planetary Science Division of SMD. The CAPTEM consists of sub-committees that review allocation requests, sample curation concerns, and science issues. CAPTEM organizes temporary subcommittees that deal with specific issues that require additional expertise. The subcommittees report their findings to the CAPTEM Executive Committee. The Chair will be assisted by an Executive Secretary who serves as a single point of contact with NASA and an executive committee that will support planning and activities. The Executive Secretary will be appointed by the Associate Administrator for SMD.
The CAPTEM will meet semi-annually or as otherwise needed to carry out its functions or at the request of the Council Chairs. The CAPTEM Chair will set its meeting schedule in consultation with the CAPTEM Executive Committee. The findings of each meeting and analysis activity will be reported to the Planetary Science Subcommittee and relevant Committees of the Council.
The CAPTEM’s ongoing tasks in support of SMD responsibilities are as follows:
- provide peer review of requests for extraterrestrial samples over which NASA has authority;
- provide technical assessment for all aspects of curation of extraterrestrial materials at Johnson Space Center;
- act as a resource that can be used by approved NASA sample-return missions;
- provide input to plans for construction and equipping appropriate curatorial facilities to prevent contamination with terrestrial materials and potential cross-contamination of extra-terrestrial materials;
- sponsor workshops relevant to sample return and sample science.
In the performance of these ongoing tasks, CAPTEM will coordinate with the Director of the Planetary Science Division of SMD and the JSC. Additional tasking for CAPTEM activities may be initiated through the Council Chair from SMD, ESMD, the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD), the JSC Curation staff, the Committees or Subcommittees of the Council, or the CAPTEM Chair. Final approval of prioritization and scheduling of requested tasks will be provided by the Council Chair after consultation with the CAPTEM Chair. Logistical and organizational support to the CAPTEM will be provided through ESMD, SMD and the Lunar and Planetary Institute.
