The XSPACE (eXtraterrestrial SamPle, Analyses, Curation, and Exploration) Laboratory is a new facility dedicated to the classification and curation of meteorites. Meteorite classification is led by scientists at the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division (ARES) of Johnson Space Center in partnership with scientists at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), USRA-Houston. Meteorite curation is led by LPI and samples are housed in the USRA-Houston building.
For more information, email [email protected].
Classification of New Meteorites
New meteorites will be classified according to the following procedures:
- Initial examination and determination of appropriate analyses needed for classification.
- Sample preparation as needed.
- Conduct analyses required for meteorite classification.
- Submission of proposed classification to the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society: How to get a meteorite named.
- Once meteorite name and classification are officially accepted by the Nomenclature Committee, LPI will keep and curate any prepared material (e.g., a thin section), plus either 20% of the total mass of the meteorite or 20 grams, whichever is smaller, according to the requirements of the Nomenclature Committee.
Our Collection
