Overview

The Astromaterials Data System (Astromat)  is a comprehensive data infrastructure that allows you to access, publish, and preserve laboratory analytical data generated on astromaterials samples. Astromat aims to ensure the long-term value of astromaterials samples data and maximize their impact on scientific discovery and knowledge. 

Astromat is funded by NASA’s Planetary Sciences Division to archive, curate, and disseminate data acquired on samples collected as part of past, present, and future NASA missions and curated by the Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office, part of the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division (ARES) of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. ARES is responsible for the curation of the world’s most diverse, extensive, and precious collection of astromaterials with >250,000 numbered samples of extraterrestrial materials that have been collected and returned to Earth by spacecraft missions or arrived on Earth naturally.

Astromat actively collaborates and partners with projects and infrastructure providers nationally and internationally to coordinate, network, and integrate data resources for the benefit of science.

Mission

Astromat aims to advance knowledge derived from astromaterials samples by facilitating discovery, access, publication, attribution, and preservation of laboratory data acquired on astromaterials samples. Astromat goals:

  • Preserve and facilitate the re-use of astromaterials sample data to maximize their utility and impact for the benefit of science, education, and society.
  • Facilitate integration of astromaterials sample data across the global science community.
  • Enable data attribution and support transparency and verification of research results.
  • Advance a culture of open data sharing in the planetary sciences.

Data Services

Astromat’s services include:

  • Compilation and restoration of 40+ years of published data from the scientific literature into the Astromat Data Synthesis.
  • Data rescue of unpublished data from investigators and labs and inclusion in the Astromat Data Synthesis and Archive.
  • Repository service for investigators to publish and archive data in the Astromaterials Data Archive in compliance with policies of funding agencies and publishers.
  • Online software tools for searching, mining, retrieving, and visualizing the content of the Astromat Data Synthesis.
  • Community outreach, engagement, and training.