Mars Xpress. Summary of the Group Design Project, MSc in Astronautics and SpaceEngineering, 1997/98, Cranfield University

摘要

This is a summary of the Group Design Project of the MSc course in Astronauticsand Space Engineering in the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield University forthe academic year 1997/98. Executive summaries from all the individual reportsare contained in an Appendix to this report. The project represents about 8000hours’ e®ort by the students of the course directed by sta®, and takes the formof a preliminary mission feasibility study. The project was based on ESA’s MarsExpress mission.The proposed mission is for a Martian lander composed principally of a roverequipped to search for signs of past or present life on Mars. A controlleddescent is required to ensure landing close to sites of particular interest. Thesurface exploration is planned to last 250 Martian days. A Mars orbiter (alsopart of the Mars Express mission) is used as a relay for the rover tocommunicate with Earth.The mission appears feasible as far as the study goes. Topics requiring furtherstudy were identified and include thermal design, communications with Earth,achieving the required landing precision, and mobility on the Martian su