A TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP TO FUTURE SAMPLE RETURN MISSIONS

Paper number

IAC-08.A3.1.4

Author

Mr. Joel Poncy, ThalesAlenia Space, France

Coauthor

Mr. Francesco Mura, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Vincent Martinot, Thales Alenia Space, France

Coauthor

Mr. Fred Feresin, France

Coauthor

Mr. Xavier Roser, Thales Alenia Space, France

Year

2008

Abstract

Returning samples to Earth has now become key to further advances in planetology. Thanks to ExoMars, Europe will demonstrate its capability to collect samples on non-terrestrial soils. As a preparation to Mars Sample Return, ESA is also studying precursor missions to the Moon or to Mars, within program NEXT, targeting key technologies. 

Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor of ExoMars for ESA, and has been awarded by ESA two out of the five NEXT contracts, one for Moon and one for Mars.

In this paper Thales Alenia Space assesses how Europe can capitalize on experience from ExoMars and NEXT to play a key role in future sample return missions. The challenges and constraints are analyzed depending on the characteristics of potential targets, from interplanetary dust to asteroids and planets. The critical technologies are identified, from entry, landing, sample collection to sample recovery and Earth re-entry. A preliminary roadmap is built under different programmatic assumptions for the NEXT, Marco Polo and Mars Sample Return programs.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A3.1.4.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A3.1.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.