Bringing rocks and soil from Mars to Earth will be a huge undertaking.

If you want to be part of the European community of brilliant scientists that will plan which samples are returned and how we get ready to analyse the martian treasures, this is your chance.

NASA and ESA have just opened a Call for Membership in the Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign science group. In its first stage, the selected group will support the lead scientists planning and implementing the science programme.

This first phase is just the beginning of a series of opportunities for the international science community to participate in the science planning activities and ultimately in the sample analysis. The goal is to maximise the overall scientific results that will come from the Red Planet.

Mark Sephton on a case. Credits: Imperial College London.

Mars Sample Return has been a high priority for the planetary science community for more than four decades. Analysing martian samples in terrestrial laboratories will advance our understanding of Mars in ways that are impossible with in-situ missions or martian meteorites.

All the information on how to apply, which documents you need to submit and whom to contact with questions is on the ESA’s Research Announcements page.