The MarsNEXT Mission: a stepping stone to Mars Sample Return and to a new understanding of the Red Planet

Paper number

IAC-08.A3.3.B4

Author

Mr. Richard Fisackerly, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Agustin Chicarro, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Andrea Santovincenzo, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Alain Pradier, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Diego De Rosa, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Bruno Gardini, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands

Year

2008

Abstract

The MarsNEXT mission, currently under study in the frame of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Aurora Exploration Programme, represents a major opportunity for Europe to take a strong role in the future exploration of Mars.

The objectives of the mission include both the demonstration of key technologies for a European participation to a subsequent Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, and the establishment of a network of surface stations to perform scientific investigations of the atmosphere, surface and interior. The mission is foreseen to be launched from Kourou using a Soyuz 2.1b, after the ExoMars mission and before MSR. 

Building on the strong heritage obtained through past network science developments in Europe, the mission focuses on key scientific investigations such as: the interior structure, the circulation of the atmosphere, the interaction with the solar wind, and the composition of the surface material. In addition to science, MarsNEXT aims to demonstrate both aerobraking and autonomous rendezvous & capture. These represent important steps in building the capabilities necessary to participate to an international MSR mission. 

This paper will present the current status of MarsNEXT from a mission, science and technology standpoint.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A3.3.B4.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)