EXPERT: Mars Sample Return architecture assessment study
Programme
Discovery
Programme Reference
17/M-03-01
Contractor
Deimos Madrid
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Spain

Description
Several hundred mission scenarios were analysed with a high level of detail both at mission analysis and mass budget level, to properly identify robust and feasible solutions. Three of them make use of both staging and aero-braking to reduce the spacecraft wet mass (mass with fuel), and they all rely either on chemical propulsion or on a mixed system combining a chemical engine with two very powerful electrical thrusters (ARM engines).
Technology Domain
13 - Automation, Telepresence & Robotics
Competence Domain
6-Life & Physical Science Payloads, Life Support, Robotics & Automation
Keywords
Pre-Phase A
Mars
Exploration
Executive summary