Virtual Programs

MISSION OVERVIEW

In the early 2020s, NASA announced their plan to retrieve samples from Mars. This plan consists of a three phase mission to achieve sample retrieval. In the first phase, we saw Perseverance land on Mars and begin exploration of the Jezero crater. During this leg of the mission, Perseverance will collect rich samples from the crater and leave them in depot locations. In the second phase of this mission, the samples will be launched into orbit around Mars, aboard a new spacecraft. In the final phase of this mission, another spacecraft will go pick up the orbiting samples and make its way back to Earth. 

As a part of the Mars Sample Return mission, the participants will be tasked with choosing and collecting samples by operating the Sample Fetch Rover (SFR). 

Importance of Mission

Although technology has come a long way in recent years, we are not yet able to transport high precision labs to other worlds. For this reason the success of the Sample Return mission is crucial so we can use our labs on Earth to learn more about the history of Mars.

The samples taken from the Jezero crater have the potential to offer information about water on Mars. We can learn when the water disappeared and when Jezero held water. Also, the potential to use Martian water as a human resource in future missions. Finally, we can use the samples for other exciting studies, such as possibly finding fossils from previous life forms!

The success of this mission can teach humanity, and lots about the past biology and geology of Mars. Achieving this mission is important for the advancement of both astro-biology and planetary geology (amongst other fields). Another exciting application is the possibility of using findings from this study to inform science for the Artemis mission- which aims to send the first humans to Mars in the late 2030s.

Here is a video resource that describes the importance of this mission: 
https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/multimedia/videos/?v=407

Mission Setting

This mission takes place in the late 2020s in the Jezero Crater. Jezero was chosen by NASA before Perseverance (the newest Martian Rover) landed in 2021. The crater was believed to have once held water, and NASA believes the sample return program can retrieve invaluable samples from this basin. This is why Jezero was chosen as the landing site in spite of seriously challenging landing conditions.

Task Teams Overview

The participants will be split into four groups for the duration of this mission. The following is a brief description of each group.

Geology

As a part of the GEO, or Geology, team you will work to understand the terrain of Mars as it relates to the sample return mission. You will have to identify the safest route possible to get the rover to the samples and then back to the base. You will also have to respond to any potential wear and tear the terrain has on the vehicle.

Navigation

As a part of the NAV (Navigation) team you will be tasked with the important role of deciding Navigation plans to and from the depot locations. You will also write a computer program to tell the rover the directions you chose.

Meteorology

As a part of the MET (Meteorology) team you will be tasked with interpreting weather patterns on Mars to ensure that the rover can obtain proper amounts of solar energy as it travels to and from the depot locations. Mars is known to have severe dust storms during the dry season- so it will be up to you to guide the team should one of these storms arise.

Energy

As a part of the NRG (Energy) team you will work to ensure that the sample fetch rover has enough energy to complete the journey to and from the different depot locations. Your work will include on the fly calculations to make sure that re-charging with solar energy is possible given the weather conditions on the Martian surface.

Mission Credits

View the Google Sheet below for all Mars Sample Return Mission Credits or Click Here to view in a different tab.
Special thanks to Framingham State University
Credit: McAuliffe Center