MAX-C/ExoMars, Dual NASA/ESA rovers slated for 2018 launch |
MAX-C/ExoMars, Dual NASA/ESA rovers slated for 2018 launch |
Mar 18 2010, 08:25 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 239 Joined: 18-December 07 From: New York Member No.: 3982 |
In case anyone doesn't know the 22nd MEPAG meeting is going on March 17th and 18th.
On the presentations posted for the first day there is one titled "Mars Sample Return (three element architecture)." On the 5th slide it states that during to the "Team X" study, the aeroshell was increased in diameter from 4.5m to 4.7m in order to accommodate both MAX-C and ExoMars together. I took a look at the specifications for the Atlas 5 launch vehicle and found on page 6-4 and 6-21 that the maximum diameter of the payload bay was 4.572m. Is it possible to fit a 4.7m aeroshell in a 4.572m payload bay? I know this mission is still in the early planning stage and that these numbers should be taken with a huge grain of salt; but this looks like a pretty big oversight. |
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Apr 21 2011, 02:55 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 234 Joined: 8-May 05 Member No.: 381 |
FWIW, issue 145 (Feb 2011),page 81 of ESA Bulletin has the following to say about ExoMars:
"NASA/JPL announced an architecture review for the 2018 mission that will consider two main approaches. One approach is to land two Rovers individually mounted on a platform...The other approach being considered by JPL is a single Rover landing with separation into two vehicles after landing. This architecture maximises the use of the NASA/JPL Mars Science Laboratory designs...but may require ESA to adapt significantly to the new approach." I'm having a hard time visualizing how one rover can separate into two. If it's two rovers, isn't it essentially the same approach both ways? |
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