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Utilization of X‐Ray Computed Tomography During the Preliminary Examination of Unopened Apollo Drive Tube Samples 73001 and 73002.

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Title: Utilization of X‐Ray Computed Tomography During the Preliminary Examination of Unopened Apollo Drive Tube Samples 73001 and 73002.
Authors: Eckley, Scott A.1 (AUTHOR) scott.a.eckley@nasa.gov, Zeigler, Ryan A.2 (AUTHOR), Ketcham, Richard A.3 (AUTHOR), Edey, David3 (AUTHOR), Hanna, Romy D.3 (AUTHOR), Gross, Juliane2,4,5 (AUTHOR), O'Neal, Evan W.1 (AUTHOR), McCubbin, Francis M.2 (AUTHOR), Shearer, Charles K.6 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Aug2025, Vol. 130 Issue 8, p1-25. 25p.
Subject Terms: *Minerals, Computed tomography, Three-dimensional imaging, Materials analysis, Lunar soil
Company/Entity: United States. National Aeronautics & Space Administration , Apollo program (U.S.)
Abstract: Double drive tube 73001/2 was collected on the Light Mantle Deposit in the Taurus‐Littrow Valley by Apollo 17 astronauts. It is a 4‐cm diameter core that sampled up to 70 cm deep in a lunar landslide at the base of the North Massif. NASA kept these samples pristine and untouched in anticipation of advanced future analytical techniques, such as high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography (XCT). Double drive tube 73001/2 was selected to be studied as part of the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program and was opened in November 2019 (73002) and February 2022 (73001). We discuss how XCT was utilized during the preliminary examination of these samples. This technique, which was unavailable the last time an Apollo drive tube was opened (1993), provides a three‐dimensional (3‐D) image of the interior of opaque objects. Prior to opening, high‐resolution scans were collected of the full length of both cores, providing a novel 3‐D archive of the intact lunar regolith. After opening, 352 > 4 mm particles were individually bagged and scanned, allowing for their lithological classification. We provide an example of the robustness of the individual particle data by analyzing ilmenite crystals (n = 350) in fourteen high‐Ti basalt particles. Our results show that ilmenite generally has highly anisotropic shapes and can take on various external morphologies, indicating that 73001/2 likely sampled several lunar basalt flows. This paper illustrates the utility of XCT for curatorial and scientific purposes during ANGSA and demonstrates its value for future sample return missions. Plain Language Summary: Apollo 17 astronauts collected a 70‐cm long and 4‐cm diameter core sample of lunar regolith from the Light Mantle landslide deposit in the Taurus‐Littrow Valley. NASA kept the top (73002) and bottom (73001) halves pristine so that future generations of scientists could study them with more advanced analytical techniques. As part of NASA's Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program, 73002 and 73001 were opened in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Before opening, both cores were imaged with X‐ray computed tomography (XCT), a relatively new analytical technique that provides 3‐D images of the interior of objects, providing the first ever 3‐D image of intact lunar regolith. After opening, 352 > 4 mm rock particles within the regolith were individually XCT scanned, producing a catalog of high‐resolution 3‐D images of new lunar rock particles. We show how these data can be used to understand lunar processes, by measuring the shape and size of crystals in 3‐D within some of the volcanic rock particles, which reflect the physical and chemical properties of the lava. This study demonstrates how useful XCT is for the characterization and analysis of sample return missions. Key Points: X‐ray computed tomography played a crucial role in the characterization of newly opened Apollo drive tubes 73001 and 73002Drive tubes 73001 and 73002 sampled a large number and variety of clastsAnalysis of ilmenite crystals in high‐Ti basalts indicates that several flows with different physicochemical conditions were sampled [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Utilization of X‐Ray Computed Tomography During the Preliminary Examination of Unopened Apollo Drive Tube Samples 73001 and 73002.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Eckley%2C+Scott+A%2E%22">Eckley, Scott A.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> scott.a.eckley@nasa.gov</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zeigler%2C+Ryan+A%2E%22">Zeigler, Ryan A.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ketcham%2C+Richard+A%2E%22">Ketcham, Richard A.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Edey%2C+David%22">Edey, David</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hanna%2C+Romy+D%2E%22">Hanna, Romy D.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gross%2C+Juliane%22">Gross, Juliane</searchLink><relatesTo>2,4,5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22O'Neal%2C+Evan+W%2E%22">O'Neal, Evan W.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22McCubbin%2C+Francis+M%2E%22">McCubbin, Francis M.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shearer%2C+Charles+K%2E%22">Shearer, Charles K.</searchLink><relatesTo>6</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Geophysical+Research%2E+Planets%22">Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets</searchLink>. Aug2025, Vol. 130 Issue 8, p1-25. 25p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minerals%22">Minerals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computed+tomography%22">Computed tomography</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Three-dimensional+imaging%22">Three-dimensional imaging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Materials+analysis%22">Materials analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Lunar+soil%22">Lunar soil</searchLink>
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  Data: Double drive tube 73001/2 was collected on the Light Mantle Deposit in the Taurus‐Littrow Valley by Apollo 17 astronauts. It is a 4‐cm diameter core that sampled up to 70 cm deep in a lunar landslide at the base of the North Massif. NASA kept these samples pristine and untouched in anticipation of advanced future analytical techniques, such as high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography (XCT). Double drive tube 73001/2 was selected to be studied as part of the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program and was opened in November 2019 (73002) and February 2022 (73001). We discuss how XCT was utilized during the preliminary examination of these samples. This technique, which was unavailable the last time an Apollo drive tube was opened (1993), provides a three‐dimensional (3‐D) image of the interior of opaque objects. Prior to opening, high‐resolution scans were collected of the full length of both cores, providing a novel 3‐D archive of the intact lunar regolith. After opening, 352 > 4 mm particles were individually bagged and scanned, allowing for their lithological classification. We provide an example of the robustness of the individual particle data by analyzing ilmenite crystals (n = 350) in fourteen high‐Ti basalt particles. Our results show that ilmenite generally has highly anisotropic shapes and can take on various external morphologies, indicating that 73001/2 likely sampled several lunar basalt flows. This paper illustrates the utility of XCT for curatorial and scientific purposes during ANGSA and demonstrates its value for future sample return missions. Plain Language Summary: Apollo 17 astronauts collected a 70‐cm long and 4‐cm diameter core sample of lunar regolith from the Light Mantle landslide deposit in the Taurus‐Littrow Valley. NASA kept the top (73002) and bottom (73001) halves pristine so that future generations of scientists could study them with more advanced analytical techniques. As part of NASA's Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program, 73002 and 73001 were opened in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Before opening, both cores were imaged with X‐ray computed tomography (XCT), a relatively new analytical technique that provides 3‐D images of the interior of objects, providing the first ever 3‐D image of intact lunar regolith. After opening, 352 > 4 mm rock particles within the regolith were individually XCT scanned, producing a catalog of high‐resolution 3‐D images of new lunar rock particles. We show how these data can be used to understand lunar processes, by measuring the shape and size of crystals in 3‐D within some of the volcanic rock particles, which reflect the physical and chemical properties of the lava. This study demonstrates how useful XCT is for the characterization and analysis of sample return missions. Key Points: X‐ray computed tomography played a crucial role in the characterization of newly opened Apollo drive tubes 73001 and 73002Drive tubes 73001 and 73002 sampled a large number and variety of clastsAnalysis of ilmenite crystals in high‐Ti basalts indicates that several flows with different physicochemical conditions were sampled [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1029/2024JE008583
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        Text: English
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Minerals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computed tomography
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      – SubjectFull: Three-dimensional imaging
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      – SubjectFull: Materials analysis
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      – SubjectFull: United States. National Aeronautics & Space Administration
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      – SubjectFull: Apollo program (U.S.)
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              Text: Aug2025
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