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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Aug 17 2007, 08:01 AM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 234 Joined: 8-May 05 Member No.: 381 |
I'm probably going to get my head handed to me for saying this, but can't a case be made for a Mars sample return with a direct Mars to Earth trajectory, bypassing a rendezvous in Mars orbit with an Earth return stage?
The obvious counter to this idea is that the size/weight of the Earth return rocket on Mars would be MUCH larger than that needed to reach low Mars orbit. OK, agreed. But there are a lot of advantages to direct to Earth launchings from Mars. One: A Mars orbiter to receive the sample canister wouldn't be needed. That eliminates an entire launch from earth and an entire spacecraft. Two: No need for a rendezvous in Mars orbit. This is an extremely complex operation to do unmanned, and I think it is the pacing technology for when a sample return could be done. It also raises the cost of the mission enormously. The alternative is to launch a single massive spacecraft to Mars, have it collect and store samples by whatever means is preferred, wait until the next alignment of earth and Mars, then launch the sample return spacecraft directly to earth (no orbiting Mars first). This would require the use of a much larger launch vehicle from Earth than a standard sample return scenario, but that cost would be offset by requiring no Mars orbiter launch, and the much greater simplicity of the Mars to earth portion of the mission (which should also reduce costs greatly and, more importantly, give a greater chance of success). I've made my case, let the carnage begin. |
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