DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR A NEAR-TERM MARS SAMPLE RETURN MISSION INCLUDING ISRU

摘要

The ability to use In Situ Resource Utilization on a Mars sample return mission allows for successful completion with a lower cost, as well as permitting a test of the technology, which itself may be a necessary precursor for a crewed mission to Mars. Here we discuss a few strategies for further lowering the cost. Some readily-implementable strategies to reduce the cost of a Mars sample return mission are presented. The overarching theme is to reduce mission mass by reducing the propellant required for various stages of the mission.