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The Mars robotic sample return mission has been a potential flagship mission for NASA's science mission directorate for decades. The Mars Exploration Program and the planetary science decadal survey have highlighted both the science value of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, but also the need for risk reduction through technology development. One of the critical elements of the MSR mission is...
The Mars ascent vehicle is a critical element of the robotic Mars sample return mission jointly planned by NASA and ESA. The Mars ascent vehicle must be developed to survive a variety of conditions including the trans-Mars journey, descent through the Martian atmosphere and the harsh Martian surface environments while maintaining the ability to deliver its payload to a low Mars orbit. The primary...
For many years, NASA and the science community have been asking for a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission. There have been numerous studies to evaluate MSR mission architectures, technology needs and development plans, and top-level requirements. Because of the challenges, technologically and financially, of the MSR mission, NASA initiated a study top-level look at MSR propulsion technologies through...
Studies over the last decade have shown radioisotope-based nuclear electric propulsion to be enhancing and, in some cases, enabling for many potential robotic science missions. Also known as radioisotope electric propulsion (REP), the technology offers the performance advantages of traditional reactor-powered electric propulsion (i.e., high specific impulse propulsion at large distances from the Sun),...
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