MSC 03211 NA'rIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION LUNAR SAMPLE INFORMATION CATALOG APOLLO 17 LUNAR RECEIVING LABORATORY " , " LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER HOUSTON.TEXAS APRIL 1973 DOCUMENT APPROVAL SHEET APOLLO 17 SAMPLE INFORMATION CNCALOG I j;;T{/73 DOCUMENT NUMBER LEVEL MSC 03211 III CODE SIGNATURE DATE ) PREPARED BY: TL4 P. Butler, Jr. ~/~/l~, b ~-!-73 APPROVED: TL4 M. B. Duke c;1 A .P~J:'.m~J-·~e---L. /7. ,,i~- /-13. APPROVED: TL w. B. a)"5 !,()J~ 5-1-23 McCown 1--. APPROVED: APPROVED REVISIONS OTHER DATE PREPARED BY CHANGE NO. REV IS I ON LTR. SUPERSEDED BY DISPOSITION MSC Form 211 (Dac 69) NASA-MSC iii CONTENTS Section --- INTRODUCTION 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2 OF APOLLO 17 SAMPLES 4 NUMBE~ING SAMPLE LOCATIONS . • . 28 SAMPLE RETURN ENVIRONMENTS AND CONTAINERS. 37 SAMPLE PROCESSING. . . . 45 PROCESSING ENVIRONMENT .. 48 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS .• 49 EVOLVED GAS STUDIES. 51 'l'O'rAL CARBON ANALYSIS. 56 COHES 57 SOIL SAMPLES 67 HOCK DESCRIPTIONS 105 i v FIGURES Figure 1 Map of EVA Traverses and Sample Collection Stations 29 2a Planimetric Map of the LM-ALSEP-SEP 30 2b Planimetric Map of Station 1 30 2c Planimetric Map of Station 2 31 2d Planimetric Map of Station 3 31 2e Planimetric Map of Station 4 32 2f Planimetric Map of Station 5 32 2g Planimetric Map of Station 6 33 2h Planimetric Map of Station 7 33 2i Planimetric Map of Station 8 34 2j Planimetric Map of Station 9 35 3a Gas Release Profile and Weight Loss Curve, 74220,5 52 3b Gas Release Profile and Weight Loss Curve, 74240,5 52 3c Gas Release Profile and Weight Loss Curve, 74260,4 53 4a Interpretative Drawings and Descriptions of X-radiographs of Core Samples: Drill Core, Lower Part. • • • . • .. 63 4b Interpretative Drawings and Descriptions of X-radiographs of Core Samples: Drill Core, Upper Part. . •• ... 64 4c Interpretative Drawings and Descriptions of X-radiographs of Core Samples: One Double and Two [lingle Drive Tube Cores • . .. .... 65 4d Interpretative Drawings and Descriptions of X-radiographs of Core Samples: One Double and One Single Drive Tube Core 66 TABLES Table Page --- I Apollo 17 Sample Inventory .•.•... 6 II List of Rocks >50 g and Boulder Samples. 24 III Contents of Sample Collection and Return Containers. 40 IVa, Chemical Analysis of Soils 50 IVb Chemical Analysis of Hocks 50 Va Gamma Ray Analysis of Soils. 54 Yb Gamma Ray Analysis of Rocks. 55 . . VI Total Carbon Analysis. 56 VII Data on Drill Stem Samples VIII Data on Drive Tube Samples 62 IX Grain Size Parameters of Some Apollo 17 Soils. 70 Xa Compositions of Soils in Percent of Grains .• 71 Xb Compositions 01' Soils in Percent of Grains 72 XI Some Terms Used for Rock Descriptions •.. 106 XII Abbreviations Used in Thin Section Descriptions. 108 INTRODUCTION This document contains data developed on the Apollo 17 samples in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory during the prelim­ inary examination period, December 21, 1972, to April 6, 1973. data consists of a complete inventory, binocular des­ ~'he criptions of the rocks, and photographs of most of the rocks. For representative rocks and fines samples, thin section des­ criptions and chemical analyses are included. Further information on the samples including field relations, lunar surface photography, along with summaries and interpretations is c:ontained in the United States Geological Survey's Interagency Reports (69, 71, and 72) to NASA and in the NASA Apollo 17 Prelim­ inary Science Report (in preparation). 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The format, style and timeliness of preparation of this catalog are due primarily to the efforts of Patrick Butler, Jr. Many people played significant parts in the development of the data, including the entire Preliminary Examination Team and the associated support personnel in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory. William C. Phinney participated in developing formats for descriptions. Richard Williams, Butler and Phinney shared editing of the rock and thin section descriptions. H. L. Day helped with editing and compilation at all stages. D. Robinson typed most of the descriptions and tables. The following personnel participated in the processing and studies of Apollo 17 samples during the preliminary examination period, and contributed to the preparation of this document. ANALYSIS GROUP B. Bansal, LEC C. F. Lewis, ASU M. A. Reynolds, JSC L. Bennett, JSC C. B. Moore, ASU J. M. Rhodes, LEC R. S. Clark, JSC G. W. Moore, LEC M. K. Robbins, NSI J. S. Eldridge, ORNL K. J. Northcutt, ORNL K. V. Rogers, LEC W. D. Felix, BNW G. D. O'Kelley, ORNL E. Schonfeld, JSC E. K. Gibson, JSC R. W. Perkins, BNW L. A. Simms, NSI N. J. Hubbard, JSC W. R. Portenier, NSI J. Wainwright, LEC J. E. Keith, JSC L. A. Rancitelli, BNW N. A. Wogman, BNW FIELD GEOLOGY GROUP N. G. Bailey, USGS M. H. Hait, USGS G. G. Schaber, USGS R. M. Batson, USGS K. B. Larson, USGS L. T. Si1ver, USGS F. E. Beeson, USGS J. S. Loman, USGS R. L. Sutton, USGS E. A. Cernan, JSC B. K. Luchitta, USGS H. H. Schmitt, JSC V. J. Fisher, USGS R. A. Parker, JSC D. H. Scott, USGS V. L. Freeman, USGS D. L. Peck, USGS G. A. Swann, USGS H. H. Hait, USGS W. R. Muehlberger, USGS R. L. Tyner, USGS E. D. Jackson, USGS V. S. Reed, USGS G. E. Ulrich, USGS . R. F" Sabala, USGS E. W. Walfe, USGS LUNAR RECEIVING LABORATORY R. Bailey, JSC U. O. Bucht1er, NSI V. D. Alexander, NSI A. J. Appling, NSI M. F. Barbee, JSC D. Caba11ero, ,TSC A. J. Barber, NSI L. Ca1dwell, N3I J. O. Annexstad, JSC C.. R. Ayers, NSI A. H. Beatty, NSI 1. E. Campagna, JSC J W• Bacak, NSI J. Berry, JSC J. Carlton, N3I R. C. Case, NSI 3 LUNAR RECEIVING LABORATORY R. P. A. Hassler, NSI S. L. Pike, NSI Clark,~SI D. L. Clement" NSI E. J. Haynes, NSI J. E. Powers, NSI B. Cox, JSC J. A. Holder, NSI A. L. Price, NSI L. E. Cornitius, NSI D. W. Hutchinson, NSI L. M. Ray, NSI C. E. Cucksee" NSI J. R. Ivey, NSI D. L. Robinson, JSC H. L. Day, NS:: D. Jezek, NSI C. F. Rocca, NGI T. Dealing, KH H. L. Johnson, NSI B. Quaranto, NSI R. L. Dickson" NSI A. R. Johnston, JSC J. Ganders, NSI M. B. Duke, JGC E. A. Locke, NSI M. C. Schwarz, NSI R. L. Eason, NSI S. J. Lyskawa, NSI Z. J. Ghannon, NSI A. L. Eaton, NSI D. A. Mann, NSI V. Shelburn, JSC H. P. McCamey, NSI A. J. oJ·lr mnons, HSI I.. L. O. Ferris, NSI D. W. McCarty, NSI L. L. Smith, NSI R. Fuentes, NiH W. B. McCown, JSC K. L. Suit, JSC R . Fuhrman, WiH T. M. McPherson, JGC J. Townsena, ,TSC G. E. Meschi, NSI R. Trabanino, JSC J. S. Goodman" NSI E. C. Miller, NSI J. Travlos, NSI P. Graf, JSC W. E. Milligan, JSC C. P. Truby, NSI C. Graham, JSe M. Mitchell, NSI L. J. Villarreal, JSC G. Hansen, NSI S. Myer, KH C. J. Wade, NSI H. Harrington" NSI J. L. Nix, NSI J. L. Warren, NSI C. Hartman, KII A. Normand, JSC D. R. White, JSC W. A. Parkan, JSC R. J. White, NSI R. M. White, NSI G. E. Williams, NSI MINERALOGY /PEC:'ROLOGY GROUP J. Agrell, CUCE G. H. Heiken, JSC J. S. Nagle, NSI S. Agrell, CUCE F. Horz, JSC W. C. Phinney, JSC A. E. Bence, ~;UNY G. E. Lofgren, JSC A. M. Reid, JSC P. R. Brett, ~rsc R. B. Laughon, JSC W. I. Ridley, JSC P. Butler, Jr. , JSC U. B. Marvin, SAO C. H. Simonds, JSC U. S. Clanton" JSC D. A. Morrison, JSC D. Stuart-Alexander, W. D. Carrier" JSC D. S. McKay, JSC USGS R. Gooley, JSC C. Meyer, Jr. , JSC J. L. Warner, JSC R. M. Fruland" JSC R. J. Williams, JSC R. G. Wilshire, USGS AFFILIATIONS ASU - Arizona State University BELLCOM - Bel1 Communication.s BNW - Battelle Pacific NorthWestern Laboratory LEC - Lockheed Electronics JSC - Johnson Space Center NSI - Northrop Services, Incorporated ORNL - Oakridge National Laboratory USGS - U.S, Geological Survey SAO - Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory SUNY - State University of New York KH - Kentron-Hawaii CUCE - Cambridge University, Cambridge, England 4 NUMBERING OF APOLLO 17 SAMPLES As in previous missions, five digit sample numbers are assigned each rock (coherent material greater than about 1 cm), the unsieved portion and each sieve fraction of scooped <1 em material, the drill bit and each drill stem and drive tube section and each sample of special characteristics. The first digit (7) is the mission designation for Apollo 17 (missions prior to Apollo 16 used the first two digits). As with Apollo 15 and 16 numbers, the Apollo 17 numbers are grouped by sampling site. Each group of one thousand numbers applies to an area as follows: Sampling Site Initial Number LM, ALSEP, SEP, and samples collected 70000 between Station 5 and the LM Station lA 71000 Station 2 and between it and the LM 72000 Station 3 and between it and Station 2 73000 Station 4 and between it and Station 3 74000 Station 5 and between it and Station 4 75000 Station 6 and between it and the LM 76000 Station 7 and between it and Station 6 77000 Station 8 and between it and Station 7 78000 Station 9 and between it and Station 8 79000 The first numbers for each area were used for drill stems, drive tubes, and the SESe. Drill stem sections and double drive tubes are numbered from the lowermost section upward. The last digit is used to code sample type, in conformity with the conventions used for Apollo 15 and Apollo 16. Fines from a given docu­ mented bag are ascribed numbers aecording to: 7WXYO Unsieved material (usually <1 cm) 7WXYl <1 mm 7WXY2 1-2 mm 7WXY3 2-4 mm 7WXy4 4-10 mm Rocks from a documented bag are numbered 7WXY5 - 7WXY9, usually in order of decreasing size. Sample number decades were reserved for the contents of each docu­ mented bag. In the cases where the number of smnples overflowed a decad~ the next available decade was used for the overflow. For example DB 455 contained soil, numbered 71040-71044, and 6 small rocks numbered 71045­ 71049 and 71075. 5 Paired soil and rake samples for each sampling area are assigned by centuries st.arting with 7W500. The soil sample documented bag has the first deGade or decades of the century, in conformity with the last digit coding for rocks and fines (as explained above), and the rake sample documented bag uses the following decades. For example, 71500-71509, '71515 were used for the sieve fractions and six rocks from the soil sample in DB 459. Then for the companion rake sample in DB's 457 and 458, 71520 was used for the soil, which was not sieved, and the 38 >1 cm.nake fragments were numbered 71535-71539,71545-71549, etc., to 71595-71597. In as much as possible all samples returned loose in a sample collec­ tion bag or an ALSRC were numbered in a decade. In the cases in which rocks from Eieveral stations were put into a single collection bag however, the soil and rock fragments were assigned a decade number that conforms to the site for the largest or most friable rock. The other rocks in the same bag have numbers for their own site, generally in the second or third decade of the thousand numbers for that site.