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Mars Surface Platform Capabilities Study

Fri, 05/06/2022 - 18:22
Start Date: 
2020
Programme: 
Discovery
End Date: 
2021
Programme Reference: 
20-P-M-HRE-01-b
Country: 
UK
Contractor: 
Airbus Defence & Space
Status: 
Closed
Description: 

The Mars Surface Platform Capabilities Study aimed to provide ESA with an assessment of the state of the art in Mars lander technologies using ESA/European technologies with flight heritage. Airbus’ Mars lander experience is taken from the Beagle 2 probe launched in 2003 on board Mars Express.

The objectives of the study were to:

  • Outline the lessons learned from previous development programmes.
  • Incorporate those lessons learned into a reconfigured version of the Beagle 2 probe for a future, low-cost, short turn-around, mission. All major components of the lander should be European.
  • Outline the required technology development activities necessary to realise the reconfigured design.

Almost 20 years have passed since the Beagle 2 probe was built and no commensurate mission has been flown since. The MSPC study also assumes the following tacit objectives:

  1. Rediscover and review information and documentation from the original project.
  2. Capture the knowledge, experience and ideas of those who worked on the Beagle 2 mission.
Application Domain: 
Exploration
Keywords: 
Mars
Lander
Surface
Executive summary: