Mars Sample Return: architecture and mission design

Sherwood, Brent; Smith, David B.; Greeley, R.; Whittaker, William; Woodcock, Gordon; Barton, Gregg H.; Pearson, D.W.; Siegfried, W. H.

doi:10.1109/aero.2002.1035559

Cited by 14 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Several studies have been conducted over the last few decades with the goal of defining science objectives for Mars Sample Return [3], [6], [7], [8] and potential mission concept architectures [9], [10], [11], [12]. Furthermore, to enable this vision, several research and technology development efforts [13] have been under way -from autonomous rover technology [14], [15] to OS design and capture-systems [16], [17].…”

Section: Mars Sample Returnmentioning

confidence: 99%

Machine Vision based Sample-Tube Localization for Mars Sample Return

Daftry¹,

Ridge²,

Seto³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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A potential Mars Sample Return (MSR) architecture is being jointly studied by NASA and ESA. As currently envisioned, the MSR campaign consists of a series of 3 missions: sample cache, fetch and return to Earth. In this paper, we focus on the fetch part of the MSR, and more specifically the problem of autonomously detecting and localizing sample tubes deposited on the Martian surface. Towards this end, we study two machine-vision based approaches: First, a geometrydriven approach based on template matching that uses hardcoded filters and a 3D shape model of the tube; and second, a data-driven approach based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and learned features. Furthermore, we present a large benchmark dataset of sample-tube images, collected in representative outdoor environments and annotated with ground truth segmentation masks and locations. The dataset was acquired systematically across different terrain, illumination conditions and dust-coverage; and benchmarking was performed to study the feasibility of each approach, their relative strengths and weaknesses, and robustness in the presence of adverse environmental conditions.

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Section: Mars Sample Returnmentioning

confidence: 99%

Machine Vision based Sample-Tube Localization for Mars Sample Return

Daftry¹,

Ridge²,

Seto³

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We provide a brief rationale for each. The strategy does not take into account cost, mass, or space restrictions associated with specific missions such as robotic Mars sample return missions (Sherwood et al 2003;MEPAG 2008;iMOST 2018), but rather provides an insight into a biologically ideal sample suite, whether it be collected by robot or human explorers.…”

Section: A Strategy For Sample Collection On Marsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If environments are devoid of life, large sample sizes can increase the robustness of the conclusion that they were never inhabited. These sample number recommendations do not take into account separate samples used in other studies such as geology, atmospheric history and investigations for future resource use that might be collected in the limited sample sets envisaged for robotic Mars sample return (e.g., Sherwood et al 2003;MEPAG 2008; iMOST 2018).…”

Section: Collect Sufficiently Many Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sample Collection and Return from Mars: Optimising Sample Collection Based on the Microbial Ecology of Terrestrial Volcanic Environments

et al. 2019

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With no large-scale granitic continental crust, all environments on Mars are fundamentally derived from basaltic sources or, in the case of environments such as ices, evaporitic, and sedimentary deposits, influenced by the composition of the volcanic crust. Therefore, the selection of samples on Mars by robots and humans for investigating habitability or testing for the presence of life should be guided by our understanding of the microbial ecology of volcanic terrains on the Earth. In this paper, we discuss the microbial ecology of volcanic rocks and hydrothermal systems on the Earth. We draw on microbiological investigations of volcanic environments accomplished both by microbiology-focused studies and Mars analog studies such as the NASA BASALT project. A synthesis of these data emphasises a number of common patterns that include: (1) the heterogeneous distribution of

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Mars Sample Return - studies for a fresh look

Mattingly

Matousek

Gershman

Proceedings, IEEE Aerospace Conference

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Mars Sample Return (MSR) is a key mission in the plan for Mars Exploration. During 2001. NASA issued contracts to four industrial teams to conduct a broad trade study of what they envisioned to be the best implementation of MSR the teams were subsequently tasked with focusing on a specific concept and fleshing-out a design sufficiently to provide a cost for the mission. Finally. the teams were asked to identify any technology development or demonstrations that are prerequisite to the mission. This paper describes the breadth of rich trade space that exists for this mission. Included in the paper are both the themes resulting from the industry studies and the general scope of the focused concepts used to assess the current planning for the mission and precursor missions. Included in this conference are papers by the four industrial teams, as well as a fifth study by JPL's Team-X to provide further corroboration of study results. The results suggest that a scientifically justifiable mission is possible. and that technology and precursor mission demonstration plans currently in the Mars Program are justified (with some modifications). TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. MEPOVERVIEW 2. STUDYPURPOSE 4. STUDY REQUIREMENTS AND CHALLENGES 5. PHASE 1 -TRADE STUDIES 6. PHASE 2 -FOCUSED STUDIES 7. S m Y 3. OVERVIEW NASA has considered a sample r e m mission from Mars since the 1960's (see the Extended Bibliography). The most recent series of studies of the Mars Sample Rehun (MSR)concept seeks to establish a trade space ftamework for the evaluation of various mission architectures. Since technology development will lower the risk and cost of a sample return and thereby enable a mission, these studies also seek to defme the required technology. While it remains unclear when a sample return mission might occur. the current Mars Exploration Program (MEP) includes an eventual sample r e m as a goal. Precursor missions that demonstrate various required aspects of a sample return mission must he included in any plan. Without precursor missions and technology development to reduce risk and cost, a sample return mission will remain too ambitious.Under the current MEP plan, the Mars Pathfmder and the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) were launched in 1996. Mars Pathfinder demonstrated that a rover could maneuver in a limited fashion around the surface of Mars and make scientific measurements. While the goals of Pathfmder were limited, the mission. which lasted approximately 90 days, proved that a rover could he an essential part of a Mars surface mission. As a result of the success of this mission, future surface missions (including sample return) require mobility to accomplish scientific objectives.

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Mars Sample Return: architecture and mission design

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Machine Vision based Sample-Tube Localization for Mars Sample Return

Machine Vision based Sample-Tube Localization for Mars Sample Return

Sample Collection and Return from Mars: Optimising Sample Collection Based on the Microbial Ecology of Terrestrial Volcanic Environments

Mars Sample Return - studies for a fresh look

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