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Multiple Smaller Missions as a Direct Pathway to Mars Sample ReturnRecent discoveries by the Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Express, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft include multiple, tantalizing astrobiological targets representing both past and present environments on Mars. The most desirable path to Mars Sample Return (MSR) would be to collect and return samples from that site which provides the clearest examples of the variety of rock types considered a high priority for sample return (pristine igneous, sedimentary, and hydrothermal). Here we propose an MSR architecture in which the next steps (potentially launched in 2018) would entail a series of smaller missions, including caching, to multiple landing sites to verify the presence of high priority sample return targets through in situ analyses. This alternative architecture to one flagship-class sample caching mission to a single site would preserve a direct path to MSR as stipulated by the Planetary Decadal Survey, while permitting investigation of diverse deposit types and providing comparison of the site of returned samples to other aqueous environments on early Mars
Document ID
20120010647
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Niles, P. B. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Draper, D. S. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Evans, C. A. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Gibson, E. K. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Graham, L. D. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Jones, J. H. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Lederer, S. M. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Ming, D. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Seaman, C. H. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Archer, P. D. (Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. United States)
Andrews-Hanna, J. (Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO, United States)
Baldridge, A. M. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Bourke, M. C. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Crown, D. A. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Fries, M. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Knudson, A. T. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Michalski, J. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Dobrea, E. Noe (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Vaniman, D. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Weitz, C. M. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Williams, R. M. E. (Planetary Science Inst. United States)
Bell, J. F., III (Arizona State Univ. AZ, United States)
Knauth, L. P. (Arizona State Univ. AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 26, 2013
Publication Date
June 12, 2012
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-26522
Meeting Information
Meeting: Mars Exploration Meeting
Location: Houston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: June 12, 2012
End Date: June 14, 2012
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Inst.
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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