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Biomedical Sample Return from ISS in the Post-Shuttle Period.    E.L.Hill¹, M.Krihak², D.Atchison¹, P. Dumars¹, A. Dave¹, C. Kundrot³ and D. Reiss-Bubenheim⁴. ¹Lockheed Martin Mission Services, NASA-ARC, ²UC-Santa Cruz, ³NASA-JSC ⁴NASA-ARC.      

   NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) is in the process of prioritizing research that includes specific work to be done on the International Space Station (ISS).  A subset of that research will require sample (blood, urine, saliva, etc.)  return after retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 (assuming current methods are used to make the measurements). HRP is seeking to reduce sample return cost and minimize the risk associated with stowage by reducing the samples returned to Earth or by preserving samples in ways that reduce the need for conditioned stowage. The ISS Sample Return Analysis (ISRA) task assigned to Ames Research Center was conducted at the direction of HRP management and coordinated through the HRP Program Integration Office (PIO).  The task included the following 4 studies: 1) Measurement Survey: identify measurements needed by HRP and examine alternative methods of obtaining those measurements, 2) Transportation Survey: examine methods for delivering equipment and supplies to ISS and returning samples to Earth, 3) Sample Return Decision Package: consider the implications of implementing distinct strategies for solving the sample return problem from ISS, 4) Technology Development: develop the implementation strategy for 2 of the technologies described in the Sample Return Decision package. Results of these studies indicate that transportation is the biggest determinant of risk associated with return of samples. Timeliness and regularity of frozen sample return cannot be sustained without regular transportation beginning immediately after the retirement of Shuttle. Reliance on MELFI or other freezers without adequate backup also represents a significant risk. A combination of in-flight analysis, optimized storage capacity, and conversion of samples to ambient-tolerant formats can significantly reduce risks associated with transportation/hardware not under HRP control. Potential transportation options, logistics projections, projected measurement needs; on-orbit analysis options and existing capabilities will be presented.