Mars Sample Return |
Mars Sample Return |
Apr 7 2006, 07:32 AM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 370 Joined: 12-September 05 From: France Member No.: 495 |
Next phase reached in definition of Mars Sample Return mission
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMJAGNFGLE_index_0.html |
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Oct 16 2007, 12:34 PM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 234 Joined: 8-May 05 Member No.: 381 |
"There's essentially nothing out there that can be bought and modified or adapted in order to successfully launch off Mars"
That may very well be true, but there's one possiblity I can think of that might just barely do the job: the ASM-135 ASAT antisatellite weapon that was successfully tested in 1985. It was a two stage (solid propellant?) rocket, with a third stage that I think was just the kinetic warhead itself. The first stage was taken from the Boeing AGM-69 SRAM cruise missile (specifically the Lockheed SR75-LP-1), and the second stage was the Vought Altair III. The third "stage" featured a hydrazine attitude control system to allow a direct hit on the target. Such a control system seems to fit well with the requirements for a rendezvous in Mars orbit with the Earth-return vehicle. (all facts taken from Wikipedia) The ASAT missile was launched from an F-15 at around 85,000 feet, which is like having an extra stage for your rocket, but I'm wondering if the lower gravity at Mars might make it possible to launch from the surface without an extra stage. The ASAT was described as being able to reach altitudes greater than 350 km (the satellite it hit in 1985 was at 555 km), which seems more than adequate if used at Mars. The weight of the entire ASAT missile was 1180 kg, which seems within the range of possibility for an MSR mission. I have no idea if such a rocket could actually be used for an MSR, and it might need to be so highly modified that starting from scratch might be better, but I think this is the only already-built system that could meet the weight and performance specs needed. It would be a great sword-to-plowshare moment if it could be used. If MSR is a joint mission with ESA, it could be an ITAR nightmare, but this is supposedly a retired system. |
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