Why is a collected sample more than a piece of rock?

What scientific power comes from preserving location, handling history, contamination control, and material for future instruments?

Compare a meteorite with unknown departure context to a spacecraft sample whose collection, transport, curation, and measurements form one traceable chain.

Asteroid sample being handled inside a sealed laboratory glovebox. — Vastward artistic reconstruction of a curation laboratory. Equipment, sample size, lighting, and handling sequence are composed for teaching.

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