[X] My Assistant

[vjkane]

Several of the presentations from the past MPEG meeting were posted recently

http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/reports/index.html

These include Draft priorities for Mars Sample Return, Mars Science Orbiter (MSO) Science Definition (nothing new, but a nice summary), and the Mars Strategic Science Assessment Group.

I found the latter document extremely interesting. It defines the rational for MSO as the mission to follow Scout 2013. It also defined 8 distinctive classes of deposits (of which Opportunity is exploring one) with emphasis that six have been identified in just the last three years showing that "we are still in an active phase of discovery". Understanding these deposits "are critical to understanding the history of water near Mars' surface." Ideally, it would seem to me, MSL and ExoMars would each explore a different type.

Most interesting for me, was the rational for a twenty year roadmap of exploration based on the assumption that sample return #1 begins at the end of the next decade:

2013: Mars Scout aeronomy
2016: MSO - determine presence and source of key trace gases, continue detailed monitoring of climate, continue to characterize surface with Hi-Rise class camera (and not mentioned, be available as a communications relay)
2018: MSR - lander/rover
2020: MSR - orbiter
2022: Mars network. Not chosen for 2016 in part to allow lessons learned from ExoMars geophysical station to be incorporated
2024: Mid-range rover (MER sized, but with updated instruments and tighter landing ellipse) - explore new class of deposit
2026: Scout
2028: MRS #2 orbiter
2030: MSR #2 lander/rover

Speculation: if budgets don't allow for a sample return in the 2018/20 opportunity, I wonder if the sequence of other missions would simply move forward, and perhaps a second mid-range rover would be added. Also, could these mid-range rover be powered by Sterling-engine plutonium systems?

[gpurcell]

I agree with all of that, Phil. In fact, I think we'll end up seeing MSR restricted to locations where we have established ground truth and know we'll get rocks that are worth the huge cost.