The goal of this session is two fold:
to examine: 1) the latest technical developments used to mimic planetary conditions so that new instrumentation can be tested under pertinent conditions and the interpretation of satellite data validated; 2) new (isotopic) geochemical data collected from planetary bodies and meteorites.

The background to the session is the need for rigorous validation in the preparation for planetary missions requires. Instrumentation needs to be subjected to pertinent planetary conditions. Such work requires the development of new instrumentation concepts under extreme temperatures, radiation, wind and dust conditions. Analytical prototypes then need to be developed and calibrated under realistic planetary conditions. Similarly the interpretation of remote sensing data returned from satellites requires validation under realistic planetary conditions.

The field of analytical geochemistry continues to develop rapidly allowing new isotopic and geochemical systems to be explored and ever more precise and accurate data produced. Contributions will discuss the latest data from meteorite and sample return missions.