Trajectory options for a potential Mars mission combining orbiting science, relay and a sample return rendezvous demonstration

Abstract

Mars sample return is a major scientific goal of the 2011 US National Research Council Decadal Survey for Planetary Science [1]. Toward achievement of this goal, recent architecture studies have focused on several mission concept options for the 2018/2020 Mars launch opportunities [2]. Mars orbiters play multiple roles in these architectures such as: relay, landing site identification/selection/certification, collection of on-going or new measurements to fill knowledge gaps, and in-orbit collection and transportation of samples from Mars to Earth. This paper reviews orbiter concepts that combine these roles and describes a novel family of relay orbits optimized for surface operations support. Additionally, these roles provide an intersection of objectives for long term NASA science, human exploration, technology development and international collaboration.