GSPARC : A Centrally Coordinated Repository of Samples and Associated experimental DataE

---

---

 

 

*****

Now for a trip back to about 2005 when GSPARC Version 0.0 was first established.

*****

GSPARC is a centrally coordinated repository of natural and synthetic samples and associated experimental data for use by participating scientists, engineers and educators. The archive is specifically designed to support the research activities of the Planetary Analogue Field Studies Network (PAFS-net). Although access to samples and research data is restricted, educators and interested members of the public may find some of the information contained on this site useful.

Version 0.0 (1st July 2005): This initial version of the GSPARC website is currently restricted in content. As the site develops more sample data and functionality will be incorporated. Password access will probably be established in version 1.0 and thereafter restricted data will be uploaded. All the limitations imposed on the website during the implementation phase will not impede the activities of PAFS-net which continue off-line.

GSPARC is made up of LIBRARIES and COLLECTIONS of physical specimens.

 

GSPARC - How does it work?

NEW SAMPLES: Samples are usually incorporated into the archive when a particular study is initiated by a group of participating researchers. However, new stock can be added at any time to expand the scope of the collections. Since the quantity of material required for research is modest (typically several hand specimens are sufficient), most samples to date have been donated by participating groups. Irrespective of thematic study, all new samples must be fully characterized. Where possible contextual information must be provided together with laboratory data and references.

 

IDENTIFICATION: Each item (i.e. sample) contained in the physical archive is assigned a unique identification code based on the GSPARC naming conventions. This basic ID is the link to a database where further sample attributes are defined. Samples come in many forms but all comply with basic formatting rules. The identification code also associates samples with experimental data (acquired on them by various instruments during study programmes).

 

EXPERIMENTAL DATA: Over time, selected samples will accumulate data from experiments involving a variety of measurement techniques. As new instrumentation is developed and prototypes require access to "real world" samples on which to perform "field" type measurements, this knowledge will prove valuable. If nothing else, access to well-characterized material held centrally can only be advantageous, especially for "holistically minded " research.

 

ACCESS RIGHTS: Access to physical samples and electronic data is restricted and dependent on sample and user status. The following diagram illustrates the concept of shared and restricted access. A more detailed account is given in the archive section. Important note: All data (and some sample information) will be subject to a stringent review process to ensure what is posted on the website is complete, factual and usable. Under no circumstances will proprietary or unpublished data be accessible unless those researchers involved give prior approval (usually after publication in journals).

*****

Planetary Analogue Field Studies Network (PAFS-net)

The principal goals of PAFS-net are to engage the planetary science community in a holistic approach to in-situ exploration and establish a knowledgebase for the benefit of future exploration of the Solar System. To achieve these objectives, a coordinated programme of thematic studies involving planetary analogue materials (GSPARC) and a wide variety of in-situ measurement techniques is underway. Over time, results from the individual studies will accumulate into a shared archive of inter-related experimental data. These data together with the collective experience acquired by the PAFS-net membership will provide an invaluable contribution to future planetary exploration.

A broad range of disciplines are represented within PAFS-net including geology, astrobiology, geophysics, rock and soil mechanics, instrument development, payload engineering and robotics (including AI). Similarly, the range of appropriate in-situ analytical techniques is equally broad and includes spectroscopy (X-ray, Mössbauer, Raman, LIBS etc), imaging (micro, macro, remote, spectral), sample preparation and acquisition, and molecular analysis. Where possible, PAFS-net utilises space qualified or prototype instruments with which to conduct experiments. In the absence of either, PAFS-net studies make use of available laboratory equipment (especially portable kit) and adopt an emulation strategy.

PAFS-net is not necessarily confined to any planet, mission, payload or instrument as many of the investigations share common goals. By combining individual “discipline”, “analogue” or “sample” focused studies, the practical challenges of in-situ field measurement can be addressed from the planetary point of view. Obvious outcomes could include exploitation of instrument synergies, better understanding of instrument inter-dependencies and guidance on operational strategies.

To comply with the PAFS-net philosophy, the following rules must apply (irrespective of whether experiments are performed in the laboratory or in the field):

• Experiments are controlled and constrained within the planetary context
• Samples are field representative
• Measurements are in-situ

All PAFS-net experiments are configured in order to emulate the planetary field scenario. Only if instrumentation is particularly sensitive to environmental parameters (pressure, temperature, atmospheric composition etc) should experiments be performed in dedicated chambers. For the most part however experiments are performed in the open lab or in the field. Obviously, emulating the “real world” naturally introduces complexity and many variables have to be considered, even within a single specimen. This is particularly relevant to analytical techniques but can also influence experiments with sampling devices as well. The hierarchical format philosophy of GSPARC therefore helps to provide a transition between calibration type measurements (i.e. homogenised powders) and application type measurements (i.e. heterogeneous, fresh, weathered and altered hand specimens etc). This is sometimes called characterisation and is a recommended procedure to adopt as part of, or a precursor to, any study programme (assuming such data are not in the knowledgebase already).

PAFS-net relies on the following assets to function:

• A group of highly respected planetary scientists and engineers, representing a broad range of disciplines
• An extensive library of well characterised, close and part analogue samples (GSPARC) or access to analogous field sites
• An array of space qualified instruments, development prototypes and lab/field kit

Apart from the sample repository, which is centrally located and maintained, all these assets for the most part are disseminated worldwide. Study samples therefore migrate back and forth between labs and instruments travel to analogous sites during field campaigns. The entire project is coordinated centrally by the administrator of this website (Derek Pullan, derek@gsparc.com).

Membership of PAFS-net is open to anybody who can provide one of more of the following:

• Expertise in a particular area of research or technology of relevance to the network
• Donation of appropriate, well documented specimens for inclusion in the GSPARC archive
• Experimental services such as appropriate lab and field instrumentation
• A compatible reference data resource (integrated into GSPARC or accessible via external link)

In order to raise the profile of both PAFS-net and GSPARC, all users (members or otherwise) are encouraged to include the following in all documentation produced as a result of a PAFS-net study or experiments involving GSPARC samples:

• Use of GSPARC IDs where appropriate
• An acknowledgement of PAFS-net and GSPARC
• Reference to the site (www.gsparc.com)

A particularly useful aspect of PAFS-net is “blind testing”. These are coordinated exercises in which teams of researchers (usually representative of different disciplines) are presented with raw data sets acquired on unknown samples and asked to make a collective interpretation. Taken further these “sample blind tests” can be incorporated into “mission blind tests” (i.e. Planetary Yard or even in-field activities).

 

---

---

More Background On GSPARC.com

 

---

---

 

 

*****

Now for a trip back to about 2005 when GSPARC Version 0.0 was first established.

*****

GSPARC is a centrally coordinated repository of natural and synthetic samples and associated experimental data for use by participating scientists, engineers and educators. The archive is specifically designed to support the research activities of the Planetary Analogue Field Studies Network (PAFS-net). Although access to samples and research data is restricted, educators and interested members of the public may find some of the information contained on this site useful.

Version 0.0 (1st July 2005): This initial version of the GSPARC website is currently restricted in content. As the site develops more sample data and functionality will be incorporated. Password access will probably be established in version 1.0 and thereafter restricted data will be uploaded. All the limitations imposed on the website during the implementation phase will not impede the activities of PAFS-net which continue off-line.

GSPARC is made up of LIBRARIES and COLLECTIONS of physical specimens.

 

GSPARC - How does it work?

NEW SAMPLES: Samples are usually incorporated into the archive when a particular study is initiated by a group of participating researchers. However, new stock can be added at any time to expand the scope of the collections. Since the quantity of material required for research is modest (typically several hand specimens are sufficient), most samples to date have been donated by participating groups. Irrespective of thematic study, all new samples must be fully characterized. Where possible contextual information must be provided together with laboratory data and references.

 

IDENTIFICATION: Each item (i.e. sample) contained in the physical archive is assigned a unique identification code based on the GSPARC naming conventions. This basic ID is the link to a database where further sample attributes are defined. Samples come in many forms but all comply with basic formatting rules. The identification code also associates samples with experimental data (acquired on them by various instruments during study programmes).

 

EXPERIMENTAL DATA: Over time, selected samples will accumulate data from experiments involving a variety of measurement techniques. As new instrumentation is developed and prototypes require access to "real world" samples on which to perform "field" type measurements, this knowledge will prove valuable. If nothing else, access to well-characterized material held centrally can only be advantageous, especially for "holistically minded " research.

 

ACCESS RIGHTS: Access to physical samples and electronic data is restricted and dependent on sample and user status. The following diagram illustrates the concept of shared and restricted access. A more detailed account is given in the archive section. Important note: All data (and some sample information) will be subject to a stringent review process to ensure what is posted on the website is complete, factual and usable. Under no circumstances will proprietary or unpublished data be accessible unless those researchers involved give prior approval (usually after publication in journals).

*****

Planetary Analogue Field Studies Network (PAFS-net)

The principal goals of PAFS-net are to engage the planetary science community in a holistic approach to in-situ exploration and establish a knowledgebase for the benefit of future exploration of the Solar System. To achieve these objectives, a coordinated programme of thematic studies involving planetary analogue materials (GSPARC) and a wide variety of in-situ measurement techniques is underway. Over time, results from the individual studies will accumulate into a shared archive of inter-related experimental data. These data together with the collective experience acquired by the PAFS-net membership will provide an invaluable contribution to future planetary exploration.

A broad range of disciplines are represented within PAFS-net including geology, astrobiology, geophysics, rock and soil mechanics, instrument development, payload engineering and robotics (including AI). Similarly, the range of appropriate in-situ analytical techniques is equally broad and includes spectroscopy (X-ray, Mössbauer, Raman, LIBS etc), imaging (micro, macro, remote, spectral), sample preparation and acquisition, and molecular analysis. Where possible, PAFS-net utilises space qualified or prototype instruments with which to conduct experiments. In the absence of either, PAFS-net studies make use of available laboratory equipment (especially portable kit) and adopt an emulation strategy.

PAFS-net is not necessarily confined to any planet, mission, payload or instrument as many of the investigations share common goals. By combining individual “discipline”, “analogue” or “sample” focused studies, the practical challenges of in-situ field measurement can be addressed from the planetary point of view. Obvious outcomes could include exploitation of instrument synergies, better understanding of instrument inter-dependencies and guidance on operational strategies.

To comply with the PAFS-net philosophy, the following rules must apply (irrespective of whether experiments are performed in the laboratory or in the field):

• Experiments are controlled and constrained within the planetary context
• Samples are field representative
• Measurements are in-situ

All PAFS-net experiments are configured in order to emulate the planetary field scenario. Only if instrumentation is particularly sensitive to environmental parameters (pressure, temperature, atmospheric composition etc) should experiments be performed in dedicated chambers. For the most part however experiments are performed in the open lab or in the field. Obviously, emulating the “real world” naturally introduces complexity and many variables have to be considered, even within a single specimen. This is particularly relevant to analytical techniques but can also influence experiments with sampling devices as well. The hierarchical format philosophy of GSPARC therefore helps to provide a transition between calibration type measurements (i.e. homogenised powders) and application type measurements (i.e. heterogeneous, fresh, weathered and altered hand specimens etc). This is sometimes called characterisation and is a recommended procedure to adopt as part of, or a precursor to, any study programme (assuming such data are not in the knowledgebase already).

PAFS-net relies on the following assets to function:

• A group of highly respected planetary scientists and engineers, representing a broad range of disciplines
• An extensive library of well characterised, close and part analogue samples (GSPARC) or access to analogous field sites
• An array of space qualified instruments, development prototypes and lab/field kit

Apart from the sample repository, which is centrally located and maintained, all these assets for the most part are disseminated worldwide. Study samples therefore migrate back and forth between labs and instruments travel to analogous sites during field campaigns. The entire project is coordinated centrally by the administrator of this website (Derek Pullan, derek@gsparc.com).

Membership of PAFS-net is open to anybody who can provide one of more of the following:

• Expertise in a particular area of research or technology of relevance to the network
• Donation of appropriate, well documented specimens for inclusion in the GSPARC archive
• Experimental services such as appropriate lab and field instrumentation
• A compatible reference data resource (integrated into GSPARC or accessible via external link)

In order to raise the profile of both PAFS-net and GSPARC, all users (members or otherwise) are encouraged to include the following in all documentation produced as a result of a PAFS-net study or experiments involving GSPARC samples:

• Use of GSPARC IDs where appropriate
• An acknowledgement of PAFS-net and GSPARC
• Reference to the site (www.gsparc.com)

A particularly useful aspect of PAFS-net is “blind testing”. These are coordinated exercises in which teams of researchers (usually representative of different disciplines) are presented with raw data sets acquired on unknown samples and asked to make a collective interpretation. Taken further these “sample blind tests” can be incorporated into “mission blind tests” (i.e. Planetary Yard or even in-field activities).

 

---

---

More Background On GSPARC.com

 

Before cloud computing and collaborative online databases became common in scientific research, one ambitious project attempted to centralize access to geological samples and experimental data for planetary studies: GSPARC, or the Geological Specimen Archive. Originally conceived by Dr. Derek Pullan of the University of Leicester’s Space Projects and Instrumentation Group, GSPARC.com served as both a digital and physical archive of rock and soil specimens used in planetary analogue studies — experiments that simulate extraterrestrial environments on Earth to prepare for missions to planets like Mars.

Although the site is now archived, GSPARC.com represents an important step in the evolution of scientific data repositories, bridging the gap between Earth-based geological study and extraterrestrial exploration. It embodied early 2000s efforts to integrate field science, software development, and data accessibility in a multidisciplinary, international research context.

---

Origins and Vision

Derek Pullan and the University of Leicester

The Geological Specimen Archive (GSPARC) was the brainchild of Dr. Derek Pullan, a planetary scientist and instrument manager best known for his role on the Beagle 2 Mars lander mission. At the University of Leicester’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pullan specialized in planetary instrumentation and operations planning. He recognized a growing need for a standardized, accessible database of geological samples that could be used by both researchers and engineers developing space instruments.

In his doctoral thesis, Pullan outlined the conceptual and practical foundations for GSPARC — a centralized repository of physical and digital data for natural and synthetic samples. Each specimen would be meticulously cataloged, characterized, and associated with metadata, laboratory data, and references. The database aimed to simplify collaboration between different research groups working on Mars analogues and other planetary environments.

GSPARC’s early structure mirrored the ideals of open science — to make curated, verified data publicly accessible while respecting confidentiality and publication rights. In essence, it was an early model of what today’s scientific repositories such as NASA’s Planetary Data System (PDS) or the European Space Agency’s Planetary Science Archive (PSA) have become.

---

Early Development and Launch

Version 0.0: The Foundational Release

The first version of GSPARC.com, launched around July 2005, was called Version 0.0. At that time, the database was in a limited-access phase, containing only basic content and descriptions of its structure. Public users could explore summaries and documentation, but most data and samples were restricted to participating scientists and members of PAFS-net — the Planetary Analogue Field Studies Network.

The site featured several key components:

• Libraries and Collections: Groups of physical specimens organized thematically or by study.

• Unique Identification Codes: Every sample received a standardized GSPARC ID to link physical samples with digital records.

• Experimental Data Indexing: Each specimen’s experimental history could be tracked, allowing cumulative knowledge about a given sample.

• Access Controls: Data was divided into public and restricted tiers, ensuring sensitive research remained confidential until publication.

This database-driven approach predated many later web-based data management tools. Pullan’s system relied on standalone software connected to an offline-maintained server database, emphasizing data integrity and curation over automation.

---

The Role of PAFS-net

A Collaborative Framework for Planetary Research

At the heart of GSPARC’s mission was PAFS-net, the Planetary Analogue Field Studies Network, which connected geologists, engineers, and astrobiologists working on planetary science problems. PAFS-net’s goal was to simulate and study planetary exploration on Earth using analog sites — terrestrial locations with geological conditions similar to those found on Mars or the Moon.

Typical PAFS-net research covered:

• Geology & Astrobiology: Studying rocks, soils, and microenvironments for clues about life on other planets.

• Geophysics & Mechanics: Testing instrument performance under realistic terrain and pressure conditions.

• Instrumentation & Robotics: Developing and calibrating Mars-like exploration tools, spectrometers, drills, and cameras.

By pooling data through GSPARC, scientists could ensure that experiments conducted at different labs or field sites were comparable and cumulative. It fostered consistency in sample documentation, encouraging researchers to use standardized nomenclature and metadata conventions.

Experimentation Philosophy

The PAFS-net methodology required that:

1. All experiments be conducted within a planetary context, emulating Mars-like conditions.

2. Samples be field-representative, meaning they mirrored expected extraterrestrial compositions.

3. Measurements be in-situ, replicating how instruments would behave on another planet.

This practical philosophy aligned GSPARC with the emerging “analogue research” field, which has since become an essential part of planetary mission preparation.

---

Beagle 2 and the Genesis of the Archive

Linking Space Missions and Earth-Based Data

Derek Pullan’s experience as Instrument Manager and Science Operations Planning Manager for Beagle 2, the British Mars lander that launched with the European Space Agency’s Mars Express in 2003, was instrumental to the creation of GSPARC. Beagle 2 carried an innovative robotic arm (PAW – Position Adjustable Workbench) equipped with analytical tools to study Martian rocks and soils.

In preparation for the mission, Pullan coordinated a six-month laboratory experiment program simulating Beagle 2’s surface operations on Earth. The data, specimens, and analytical methods developed during this preparation formed the foundation of the GSPARC collection. Each rock sample from those exercises was cataloged, characterized, and cross-referenced — the earliest entries in what became the Geological Specimen Archive.

GSPARC thus served as both a scientific archive and a pedagogical tool — allowing researchers and students to learn from real planetary mission simulations.

---

Structure and Functionality

How GSPARC Worked

The GSPARC repository was both a physical collection and a digital database. The system was hierarchical:

• Libraries held multiple Collections (thematic groups of specimens).

• Each Collection contained Samples, each tagged with a unique GSPARC ID.

• Each Sample was linked to Experimental Data, including spectroscopy, imaging, or geochemical analysis results.

Data were stored in a read-only online database, ensuring that what appeared on the website reflected verified, reviewed information. Updates and data uploads were handled offline by the curator of the physical archive (Pullan himself during its early years).

Access and Ethics

The project was careful about data ownership and integrity:

• Only data already published in the public domain (through journals or conferences) could be shared.

• Educational materials were approved and compliant with UK national curricula, highlighting its outreach potential.

• Proprietary data from ongoing projects remained private until peer-reviewed publication.

This emphasis on ethical data sharing prefigured modern FAIR data principles — Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

---

Influence and Technical Parallels

A Model for Data-Driven Science

GSPARC was ahead of its time in integrating structured data management, scientific reproducibility, and collaboration tools. Pullan’s system influenced later planetary analogue initiatives such as:

• NASA’s Planetary Data System (PDS4) model updates.

• ESA’s Planetary Science Archive (PSA) design for contextual metadata.

• Mars Sample Analogue repositories used in rover testbeds like ExoMars and Perseverance’s SHERLOC instrument calibration.

Its philosophy continues in today’s push for digital curation of analogue environments, essential for AI-driven interpretation and robotic autonomy in planetary exploration.

---

Revival and Archival Efforts

The Reconstructed GSPARC.com

The GSPARC.com domain has since been acquired and restored by a software developer aiming to preserve its historical content. The current owner works for a progressive software company specializing in healthcare applications and collaborates with TNG/Earthling, an NYC-based SEO and data consultancy led by Bob Sakayama. Their goal was not to rebrand the site but to maintain its original educational and scientific legacy.

This archival effort reflects a commitment to preventing valuable digital history from being lost or exploited by unrelated commercial ventures — a common problem with expired scientific domains. The modern revival provides a contextual snapshot of how early 2000s scientific web infrastructure operated, including its HTML-based architecture, read-only databases, and metadata-driven navigation.

The parallels between the original GSPARC system and today’s data-driven software applications are notable. As the restorer notes, much like Pullan’s work, modern software development seeks to simplify and organize complex data and make it accessible to specialized audiences. This continuity emphasizes how foundational GSPARC’s design principles were.

---

Educational and Cultural Significance

A Bridge Between Academia and the Public

One of GSPARC’s lasting contributions lies in its dual focus: scientific rigor and public accessibility. Pullan’s insistence on approved educational materials — compliant with UK curricula — ensured that school programs and outreach initiatives could benefit from real planetary science data. It functioned as both a research tool and a teaching platform, promoting science literacy and enthusiasm for space exploration.

The Planetary Analogue Field Studies Network (PAFS-net) also introduced collaborative “blind testing” exercises, where multidisciplinary teams analyzed anonymous data sets to practice interpretation skills — an early precursor to the data challenges now common in AI and planetary imaging research.

Preserving a Legacy of Interdisciplinary Collaboration

GSPARC exemplified the early 21st-century spirit of interdisciplinary exploration — combining geology, astrophysics, data management, and education. Its legacy lies not only in the data it hosted but in the collaborative model it embodied: centralized yet open, rigorous yet creative, technical yet human.

---

Reviews and Reputation

Though the original GSPARC.com website is now an archive, it remains respected in academic circles as a pioneering digital repository. References to it appear in:

• University of Leicester research papers on planetary analogue studies.

• ESA Beagle 2 documentation describing preparatory laboratory campaigns.

• Planetary science education resources discussing analogue fieldwork methodologies.

Researchers recognize it as a prototype for modern integrated science databases — bridging physical archives, web data, and educational outreach long before cloud or AI integration became standard.

---

 

Though largely forgotten outside planetary research circles, GSPARC.com occupies a significant place in the history of scientific collaboration. What began as a doctoral project by Dr. Derek Pullan at the University of Leicester evolved into a model of how physical specimens, digital data, and collaborative science can intersect through well-designed software and ethical data management.

Its restoration by a new owner ensures that the site’s educational and historical value remains intact — serving as both a window into early planetary research infrastructure and a reminder of how visionary software systems can outlast their original missions. Whether viewed as a precursor to open science repositories or a tribute to Beagle 2’s legacy, GSPARC.com continues to symbolize the enduring human drive to catalog, connect, and understand our universe — one rock sample at a time.

 

---

---