The Space Park Leicester Double Walled Isolator (DWI) project is a secure system designed to handle Martian samples as part of NASA and European Space Agency’s (ESA)—Mars Sample Return mission.
The isolator is being developed by John Holt, an engineer at the University of Leicester
The DWI is designed to protect these samples by preventing any contamination from Earth's environment while also ensuring the Earth's biosphere remains safe from potentially hazardous Martian materials.
The isolator is being developed by John Holt, an engineer at the University of Leicester and is part of Space Park Leicester, a hub for space research and innovation in the UK.
Key features of the Double-Walled Isolator
Double-walled design: The isolator features a highly controlled double-wall system that provides a sterile and secure environment for handling extraterrestrial materials.
The isolator features a highly controlled double-wall system that provides a sterile and secure environment for handling extraterrestrial materials
Sterile containment: The isolator is critical for maintaining the pristine condition of Martian samples, ensuring that no Earth-based biological or chemical contamination alters the scientific value of the material.
Biosafety: Beyond keeping the samples clean, the DWI also acts as a biosafety measure to protect Earth from any potential unknown hazards in Martian samples.
Collaboration
As well as the project leads NASA and ESA, which is also contributing mission design and technologies, the project also involves collaboration with Extract Technology, an industrial partner specialising in containment solutions.
Extract Technology has been a subsidiary of powder handling and containment group, Dec (Dietrich Engineering Consultants) Group, since 2021.
The DWI project showcases the intersection of advanced engineering and planetary science
The project is also drawing subject matter expertise from Professor Mark Sephton, Imperial College London and Dr Ruth Harvey from the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research centre in London.
Role in the Mars sample return mission
The DWI is a key component of the broader international collaboration between NASA and ESA, which aims to collect, transport, and analyse Martian rocks and soil.
Once these samples are returned to Earth, they will be studied to understand Mars' geology, climate history, and the potential for life
The mission is one of the most ambitious interplanetary efforts to date, which involves multiple spacecraft and specialised equipment to retrieve samples from Mars.
Once these samples are returned to Earth, they will be studied to understand Mars' geology, climate history, and the potential for life.
Importance of the Double Walled Isolator (DWI) project
The DWI project showcases the intersection of advanced engineering and planetary science. By ensuring the safe handling of extraterrestrial samples, it is vital to advancing our understanding of Mars and addressing fundamental questions about the origins of life in the universe.
Additionally, the technology developed through the DWI project could set the standard for future planetary exploration and sample return missions.
Top image: Members of the Space Park Leicester Double Walled Isolator project team with NASA and ESA representatives