An Efficient Approach for Mars Sample Return Using Emerging Commercial Capabilities

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Astrobiology
• Aerospace Engineering

Background:

• Mars Sample Return is the highest priority planetary science mission.
• Emerging commercial spaceflight capabilities offer new mission architectures.
• An Earth-direct architecture may simplify Mars Sample Return.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess the feasibility of a Mars Sample Return mission using commercial capabilities.
• Optimize mission systems and launches for simplicity and lower cost.
• Investigate an Earth-direct architecture for sample return.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of mission system elements using direct techniques and parametric mass estimating relationships.
• Scenario development involving SpaceX Falcon Heavy and a modified Dragon capsule (Red Dragon).
• Detailed description of mission phases: launch, Mars landing, ascent, Earth return, and retrieval.

Main Results:

• A complete and closed Mars Sample Return mission design is feasible.
• The proposed scenario utilizes commercial launch vehicles and spacecraft.
• The mission architecture includes Supersonic Retropropulsion for Mars landing and a retrieval mission for sample containment.

Conclusions:

• Emerging commercial capabilities enable a simplified and potentially lower-cost Mars Sample Return mission.
• The proposed Earth-direct architecture is feasible and meets mission objectives.
• The mission design ensures secure containment and prevents unintended release of Martian materials.