Mission Trade-Offs for an 'Entry-Level' Mars Orbiter and Entry Probe

Paper number

IAC-05-A3.3.03

Author

Mr. Andy Phipps, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom

Year

2005

Abstract

Interplanetary missions are extraordinarily expensive, previous missions typically cost hundreds of millions of dollars.  As a result of this high mission cost, opportunities are few and the mission cost and complexity further spiral upwards. Often exploration budgets are depleted by just one mission, each spacecraft in-effect becoming a prototype, and therefore the opportunities to evolve from previous mission designs is lost.  Mission cost must be reduced to break out of this vicious circle and facilitate design evolution.
  
With an increased emphasis on Mars missions this paper outlines the lowest ‘cost of entry’ Mars orbiter capable of performing technology demonstration or entry-level scientific return.  A small-scale entry vehicle to demonstrate Mars entry, descent and landing technologies is outlined.  The mission proposed is compatible with the Aurora programmes' Arrow missions - the industrial cost cap for these missions estimated at a modest Euro 100 million.   The mission is repeatable in subsequent years, facilitating a programme of exploration mission evolving in capability each time.  Non-critical mission enhancing technologies being ‘space proven’ on each occasion and once successfully proven become the core platform technology for follow-on mission. 
 
This research summarises the mission cost-performance trade-offs to be made, both for an orbiter and entry probe.  It details the principle design drivers and outlines a mission design philosophy, proven for LEO missions, which could be adopted for mission cost and risk minimisation.   It assesses low-cost launch options and makes a recommendation for an operations concept.  Scientific payload options are detailed, and it summarises the enabling and enhancing technologies required to realise this mission.

Abstract document

IAC-05-A3.3.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-A3.3.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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