Difference between revisions of "Mars 2020"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:PIA21635-Mars2020Rover-ArtistConcept-20170523.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Mars 2020 Rover - Artist's Rendering]] | [[Image:PIA21635-Mars2020Rover-ArtistConcept-20170523.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Mars 2020 Rover - Artist's Rendering]] | ||
| − | '''Mars 2020''' is a [[Mars rover]] mission by [[NASA]]'s [[Mars Exploration Program]] with a planned launch in 2020. | + | '''Mars 2020''' is a [[Mars rover]] mission by [[NASA]]'s [[Mars Exploration Program]] with a planned launch in 2020. |
| − | The as-yet unnamed ''Mars 2020'' was announced by NASA on 4 December 2012 at the fall meeting of the [[American Geophysical Union]] in San Francisco.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> The rover's design will be derived from the [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'' rover]], but will carry a different scientific payload.<ref name="BBC-20131204">{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Nasa to send new rover to Mars in 2020 |date=4 December 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20603689 |work=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=5 December 2012}}</ref> Nearly 60 proposals | + | The as-yet unnamed ''Mars 2020'' was announced by NASA on 4 December 2012 at the fall meeting of the [[American Geophysical Union]] in San Francisco.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> The rover's design will be derived from the [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'' rover]], but will carry a different scientific payload.<ref name="BBC-20131204">{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Nasa to send new rover to Mars in 2020 |date=4 December 2012 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20603689 |work=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=5 December 2012}}</ref> Nearly 60 proposals for rover instrumentation were evaluated and, on 31 July 2014, NASA announced the payload for the rover. |
== Mission == | == Mission == | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
|2020 || Jul 2020 – Sep 2020 || 13.2 - 18.4 km<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup> | |2020 || Jul 2020 – Sep 2020 || 13.2 - 18.4 km<sup>2</sup>/s<sup>2</sup> | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | The rover is planned to be launched in 2020.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> The [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] will manage the mission. The payload and science instruments for the mission were selected in July 2014 after an open competition for payloads<ref name="NASA-20140731a" /> based on scientific objectives set one year earlier. | + | The rover is planned to be launched in 2020.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /> The [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] will manage the mission. The payload and science instruments for the mission were selected in July 2014 after an open competition for payloads<ref name="NASA-20140731a" /> based on scientific objectives set one year earlier. Precise mission details will be determined by the mission's Science Definition Team. |
In May 2017, evidence of the [[Earliest known life forms|earliest known life]] [[Evolutionary history of life#Colonization of land|on land]] may have been found in 3.48-billion-year-old [[geyserite]], a mineral deposit often found around [[hot spring]]s and [[geyser]]s, uncovered in the [[Pilbara Craton]] of [[Western Australia]].<ref name="PO-20170509">{{cite news |author=Staff |title=Oldest evidence of life on land found in 3.48-billion-year-old Australian rocks |url=https://phys.org/news/2017-05-oldest-evidence-life-billion-year-old-australian.html |date=9 May 2017 |work=[[Phys.org]] |accessdate=13 May 2017 }}</ref><ref name="NC-20170509">{{cite journal |last1=Djokic |first1=Tara |last2=Van Kranendonk |first2=Martin J. |last3=Campbell |first3=Kathleen A. |last4=Walter |first4=Malcolm R. |last5=Ward |first5=Colin R. |title=Earliest signs of life on land preserved in ca. 3.5 Ga hot spring deposits |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15263 |date=9 May 2017 |journal=[[Nature Communications]] |doi=10.1038/ncomms15263 |accessdate=13 May 2017 }}</ref> These findings may be helpful in deciding where best to search for early signs of [[Life on Mars|life on the planet Mars]].<ref name="PO-20170509" /><ref name="NC-20170509" /> | In May 2017, evidence of the [[Earliest known life forms|earliest known life]] [[Evolutionary history of life#Colonization of land|on land]] may have been found in 3.48-billion-year-old [[geyserite]], a mineral deposit often found around [[hot spring]]s and [[geyser]]s, uncovered in the [[Pilbara Craton]] of [[Western Australia]].<ref name="PO-20170509">{{cite news |author=Staff |title=Oldest evidence of life on land found in 3.48-billion-year-old Australian rocks |url=https://phys.org/news/2017-05-oldest-evidence-life-billion-year-old-australian.html |date=9 May 2017 |work=[[Phys.org]] |accessdate=13 May 2017 }}</ref><ref name="NC-20170509">{{cite journal |last1=Djokic |first1=Tara |last2=Van Kranendonk |first2=Martin J. |last3=Campbell |first3=Kathleen A. |last4=Walter |first4=Malcolm R. |last5=Ward |first5=Colin R. |title=Earliest signs of life on land preserved in ca. 3.5 Ga hot spring deposits |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15263 |date=9 May 2017 |journal=[[Nature Communications]] |doi=10.1038/ncomms15263 |accessdate=13 May 2017 }}</ref> These findings may be helpful in deciding where best to search for early signs of [[Life on Mars|life on the planet Mars]].<ref name="PO-20170509" /><ref name="NC-20170509" /> | ||
=== Proposed objectives === | === Proposed objectives === | ||
| − | The mission is part of NASA's [[Mars Exploration Program]], | + | The mission is part of NASA's [[Mars Exploration Program]], |
On 9 July 2013, the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team reiterated that the rover should look for signs of [[Life on Mars|past life]], collect samples for possible future return to Earth, and demonstrate technology for future human exploration of Mars. The Science Definition Team proposed the rover collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and soil for a later mission to bring back for more definitive analysis in laboratories on Earth, but in 2015 the concept was changed to collect even more samples and distribute the tubes in small piles across the surface of Mars. However, returning the samples to Earth would likely require two additional missions: one rover to land on Mars, take the samples collected by Mars 2020, and launch them into Mars orbit; and another to collect the sample canister in Mars orbit and return it to Earth. Neither of those missions is under development by NASA,<ref name='cost'/><ref name="Rosenthal 2015">{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Jake |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2015/1012-mars-2020-adaptive-caching-assembly.html |title=Mars 2020 and the Adaptive Caching Assembly: An Intern’s Perspective |work=The Planetary Society |date=12 October 2015 |accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref> but it has been suggested that the proposed [[Mars 2022 orbiter]] may play a role in such future mission.<ref name='cost'/><ref name="Denver Museum">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmns.org/museum-blog/Post/?nid=23546 |title=NASA Eyes Sample-Return Capability for Post-2020 Mars Orbiter |last=Evans |first=Kim |work=Denver Museum of Nature and Science |date=13 October 2015 |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref> | On 9 July 2013, the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team reiterated that the rover should look for signs of [[Life on Mars|past life]], collect samples for possible future return to Earth, and demonstrate technology for future human exploration of Mars. The Science Definition Team proposed the rover collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and soil for a later mission to bring back for more definitive analysis in laboratories on Earth, but in 2015 the concept was changed to collect even more samples and distribute the tubes in small piles across the surface of Mars. However, returning the samples to Earth would likely require two additional missions: one rover to land on Mars, take the samples collected by Mars 2020, and launch them into Mars orbit; and another to collect the sample canister in Mars orbit and return it to Earth. Neither of those missions is under development by NASA,<ref name='cost'/><ref name="Rosenthal 2015">{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Jake |url=http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2015/1012-mars-2020-adaptive-caching-assembly.html |title=Mars 2020 and the Adaptive Caching Assembly: An Intern’s Perspective |work=The Planetary Society |date=12 October 2015 |accessdate=19 October 2015}}</ref> but it has been suggested that the proposed [[Mars 2022 orbiter]] may play a role in such future mission.<ref name='cost'/><ref name="Denver Museum">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmns.org/museum-blog/Post/?nid=23546 |title=NASA Eyes Sample-Return Capability for Post-2020 Mars Orbiter |last=Evans |first=Kim |work=Denver Museum of Nature and Science |date=13 October 2015 |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref> | ||
| − | In September 2013 NASA launched an Announcement of Opportunity for researchers to propose and develop the instruments needed, including a core sample cache.<ref name="A of opportunity">{{cite web |url=http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=387051/solicitationId=%7BC49E4810-6DE9-9509-E896-EBC006101A9E%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/Mars%202020%20AO%20amend3.pdf |format=PDF |title=Announcement of Opportunity: Mars 2020 Investigations |publisher=NASA |date=24 September 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014 | + | In September 2013 NASA launched an Announcement of Opportunity for researchers to propose and develop the instruments needed, including a core sample cache.<ref name="A of opportunity">{{cite web |url=http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=387051/solicitationId=%7BC49E4810-6DE9-9509-E896-EBC006101A9E%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/Mars%202020%20AO%20amend3.pdf |format=PDF |title=Announcement of Opportunity: Mars 2020 Investigations |publisher=NASA |date=24 September 2013 |accessdate=18 May 2014}}</ref> The chairman of the Science Definition Team stated that NASA does not presume that life ever existed on Mars, but given the recent ''[[Curiosity rover]]'' findings, past Martian life seems possible.<ref name='goals'/> |
| − | The rover can make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a [[Human mission to Mars|human expedition]] understand any hazards posed by Martian dust, and will test technology to produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>).<ref name="Tap O2 2013">{{cite news |first=Irene |last=Klotz |title=Mars 2020 Rover To Include Test Device To Tap Planet’s Atmosphere for Oxygen |date=21 November 2013 |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/38288mars-2020-rover-to-include-test-device-to-tap-planet%E2%80%99s-atmosphere-for |work=Space News |accessdate=22 November 2013}}</ref> Improved precision landing technology that enhances the scientific value of robotic missions also will be critical for eventual human exploration on the surface. | + | The rover can make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a [[Human mission to Mars|human expedition]] understand any hazards posed by Martian dust, and will test technology to produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]] (CO<sub>2</sub>).<ref name="Tap O2 2013">{{cite news |first=Irene |last=Klotz |title=Mars 2020 Rover To Include Test Device To Tap Planet’s Atmosphere for Oxygen |date=21 November 2013 |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/38288mars-2020-rover-to-include-test-device-to-tap-planet%E2%80%99s-atmosphere-for |work=Space News |accessdate=22 November 2013}}</ref> Improved precision landing technology that enhances the scientific value of robotic missions also will be critical for eventual human exploration on the surface. Based on input from the Science Definition Team, NASA defined the final objectives for the 2020 rover. Those become the basis for soliciting proposals to provide instruments for the rover's science payload in the spring 2014.<ref name='Tap O2 2013'/> |
== Design == | == Design == | ||
| − | As proposed, the rover will be based on the design of [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'']].<ref name="CNET Harwood first">{{cite news |title=NASA announces plans for new $1.5 billion Mars rover |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57557184-76/nasa-announces-plans-for-new-$1.5-billion-mars-rover/ |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=CNET |date=4 December 2012 |first=William |last=Harwood |quote=Using spare parts and mission plans developed for NASA's Curiosity Mars rover, the space agency says it can build and launch the rover in 2020 and stay within current budget guidelines.}}</ref> While there will be differences in scientific instruments and the engineering required to support them, the entire landing system (including the [[Mars Science Laboratory#Sky crane landing|sky crane]] and heat shield) and rover chassis can essentially be recreated without any additional engineering or research. This reduces overall technical risk for the mission, while saving funds and time on development. | + | As proposed, the rover will be based on the design of [[Curiosity (rover)|''Curiosity'']].<ref name="CNET Harwood first">{{cite news |title=NASA announces plans for new $1.5 billion Mars rover |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57557184-76/nasa-announces-plans-for-new-$1.5-billion-mars-rover/ |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=CNET |date=4 December 2012 |first=William |last=Harwood |quote=Using spare parts and mission plans developed for NASA's Curiosity Mars rover, the space agency says it can build and launch the rover in 2020 and stay within current budget guidelines.}}</ref> While there will be differences in scientific instruments and the engineering required to support them, the entire landing system (including the [[Mars Science Laboratory#Sky crane landing|sky crane]] and heat shield) and rover chassis can essentially be recreated without any additional engineering or research. This reduces overall technical risk for the mission, while saving funds and time on development. |
A [[Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator]], left over as a backup part for ''Curiosity'' during its construction, will power the rover.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /><ref name="NBC Boyle first">{{cite news |title=NASA plans 2020 Mars rover remake |url=http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/04/15678579-nasa-plans-2020-mars-rover-remake |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=Cosmic Log |date=4 December 2012 |first=Alan |last=Boyle |agency=NBC News}}</ref> | A [[Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator]], left over as a backup part for ''Curiosity'' during its construction, will power the rover.<ref name="CNET Harwood first" /><ref name="NBC Boyle first">{{cite news |title=NASA plans 2020 Mars rover remake |url=http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/04/15678579-nasa-plans-2020-mars-rover-remake |accessdate=5 December 2012 |newspaper=Cosmic Log |date=4 December 2012 |first=Alan |last=Boyle |agency=NBC News}}</ref> | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
== Proposed scientific instruments == | == Proposed scientific instruments == | ||
| − | * [[Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry|Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)]], an [[X-ray fluorescence|x-ray fluorescence spectrometer]] to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials.<ref name="NASA-20140731PIXL">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title=Mars 2020 Rover's PIXL to Focus X-Rays on Tiny Targets |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-253 |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014 | + | * [[Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry|Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL)]], an [[X-ray fluorescence|x-ray fluorescence spectrometer]] to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials.<ref name="NASA-20140731PIXL">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title=Mars 2020 Rover's PIXL to Focus X-Rays on Tiny Targets |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-253 |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref> |
| − | * Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment (RIMFAX), a [[ground-penetrating radar]] to image dozens of meters beneath the rover. | + | * Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment (RIMFAX), a [[ground-penetrating radar]] to image dozens of meters beneath the rover. |
| − | * Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer (MEDA), a set of sensors that will provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. It would be provided by Spain's ''Centro de Astrobiología''. | + | * Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer (MEDA), a set of sensors that will provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. It would be provided by Spain's ''Centro de Astrobiología''. |
| − | * The [[Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment]] (MOXIE) is an exploration technology investigation that will produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>).<ref name="AP-20140731">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |title=NASA to test making rocket fuel ingredient on Mars |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140731/us-sci-mars-mission-bd362b9528.html |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[AP News]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref> This technology could be scaled up in the future for human life support or make rocket fuel for return missions. | + | * The [[Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment]] (MOXIE) is an exploration technology investigation that will produce oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>).<ref name="AP-20140731">{{cite news |last=Borenstein |first=Seth |title=NASA to test making rocket fuel ingredient on Mars |url=http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140731/us-sci-mars-mission-bd362b9528.html |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[AP News]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref> This technology could be scaled up in the future for human life support or make rocket fuel for return missions. |
| − | * SuperCam, an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical composition analysis and mineralogy in rocks and regolith from a distance. It is similar to the ChemCam on the ''Curiosity'' rover but with four scientific instruments that will allow it to look for biosignatures. | + | * SuperCam, an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical composition analysis and mineralogy in rocks and regolith from a distance. It is similar to the ChemCam on the ''Curiosity'' rover but with four scientific instruments that will allow it to look for biosignatures. |
* [[Mastcam-Z]], a stereoscopic imaging system with the ability to zoom. | * [[Mastcam-Z]], a stereoscopic imaging system with the ability to zoom. | ||
| − | * [[Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals|Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC)]], an ultraviolet [[Raman spectroscopy|Raman spectrometer]] that uses fine-scale imaging and an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect [[organic compound]]s.<ref name="NASA-20140731SHER">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title=SHERLOC to Micro-Map Mars Minerals and Carbon Rings |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-254 |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014 | + | * [[Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals|Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC)]], an ultraviolet [[Raman spectroscopy|Raman spectrometer]] that uses fine-scale imaging and an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect [[organic compound]]s.<ref name="NASA-20140731SHER">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title=SHERLOC to Micro-Map Mars Minerals and Carbon Rings |url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-254 |date=31 July 2014 |work=[[NASA]] |accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref> |
| − | *Mars Helicopter Scout (MHS) is a solar powered helicopter drone with a mass of {{convert|1|kg|lb|abbr=on}} that could help pinpoint interesting targets for study and plan the best driving route.<ref name="drone1">{{cite news |url=http://www.business2community.com/space-science/nasa-is-developing-a-helicopter-drone-for-2020-mars-mission-01138799 |title=NASA Is Developing A Helicopter Drone For 2020 Mars Mission |work=Business 2 Community |date=27 January 2015 |accessdate=28 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Leone heli">{{cite news |last=Leone |first=Dan |url=http://spacenews.com/elachi-touts-helicopter-scout-for-mars-sample-caching-rover/ |title=Elachi Touts Helicopter Scout for Mars Sample-Caching Rover |work=Space News |date=19 November 2015 |accessdate=20 November 2015}}</ref> The helicopter would fly no more than 3 minutes per day and cover a distance of about {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}} daily.<ref name="Helicopter">{{cite web |url=http://marsmobile.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/videos/movies/mars20150122/mars20150122.pdf |format=PDF |title=Crazy Engineering Mars Helicopter Transcript |work=JPL – NASA |date=22 January 2015 |accessdate=1 September 2015}}</ref> It has [[coaxial rotors]], a high resolution downward looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain, and a communication system to relay data to the rover. | + | *Mars Helicopter Scout (MHS) is a solar powered helicopter drone with a mass of {{convert|1|kg|lb|abbr=on}} that could help pinpoint interesting targets for study and plan the best driving route.<ref name="drone1">{{cite news |url=http://www.business2community.com/space-science/nasa-is-developing-a-helicopter-drone-for-2020-mars-mission-01138799 |title=NASA Is Developing A Helicopter Drone For 2020 Mars Mission |work=Business 2 Community |date=27 January 2015 |accessdate=28 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Leone heli">{{cite news |last=Leone |first=Dan |url=http://spacenews.com/elachi-touts-helicopter-scout-for-mars-sample-caching-rover/ |title=Elachi Touts Helicopter Scout for Mars Sample-Caching Rover |work=Space News |date=19 November 2015 |accessdate=20 November 2015}}</ref> The helicopter would fly no more than 3 minutes per day and cover a distance of about {{convert|1|km|abbr=on}} daily.<ref name="Helicopter">{{cite web |url=http://marsmobile.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/videos/movies/mars20150122/mars20150122.pdf |format=PDF |title=Crazy Engineering Mars Helicopter Transcript |work=JPL – NASA |date=22 January 2015 |accessdate=1 September 2015}}</ref> It has [[coaxial rotors]], a high resolution downward looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain, and a communication system to relay data to the rover. |
| − | *Microphones will be used during the landing event, while driving, and when collecting samples. | + | *Microphones will be used during the landing event, while driving, and when collecting samples. |
{{Gallery |align=center | {{Gallery |align=center | ||
| Line 67: | Line 67: | ||
*[[Eberswalde (crater)|Eberswalde Crater]] | *[[Eberswalde (crater)|Eberswalde Crater]] | ||
*[[Holden (Martian crater)|Holden Crater]] | *[[Holden (Martian crater)|Holden Crater]] | ||
| − | *[[Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]] | + | *[[Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]] |
*[[Mawrth Vallis]] | *[[Mawrth Vallis]] | ||
*Northeastern region of [[Syrtis Major Planum]] | *Northeastern region of [[Syrtis Major Planum]] | ||
| Line 73: | Line 73: | ||
*Southwestern region of [[Melas Chasma]] | *Southwestern region of [[Melas Chasma]] | ||
| − | A workshop was held on 8–10 February 2017 in Pasadena, California, to discuss these sites, with the goal of narrowing down the list to 3-4 final sites for further consideration. | + | A workshop was held on 8–10 February 2017 in Pasadena, California, to discuss these sites, with the goal of narrowing down the list to 3-4 final sites for further consideration. |
*[[Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]] | *[[Jezero (crater)|Jezero Crater]] | ||
| Line 87: | Line 87: | ||
The selection has been criticized for NASA's constant attention to Mars,<ref name="scientific american">{{cite news |last=Matson |first=John |title=Has NASA Become Mars-Obsessed? |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=has-nasa-become-mars-obsessed |date=21 February 2013 |work=[[Scientific American]] |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref> and neglecting other Solar System destinations in constrained budget times. Contrary to usual NASA practices, the mission was approved for flight before a Science Definition Team (SDT) had been formed to decide on the mission's purpose and goals. | The selection has been criticized for NASA's constant attention to Mars,<ref name="scientific american">{{cite news |last=Matson |first=John |title=Has NASA Become Mars-Obsessed? |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=has-nasa-become-mars-obsessed |date=21 February 2013 |work=[[Scientific American]] |accessdate=8 December 2013}}</ref> and neglecting other Solar System destinations in constrained budget times. Contrary to usual NASA practices, the mission was approved for flight before a Science Definition Team (SDT) had been formed to decide on the mission's purpose and goals. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 104: | Line 101: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | |||
* [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/ Mars 2020 website] | * [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mars2020/ Mars 2020 website] | ||
* [http://mars.nasa.gov/files/m2020/Mars2020FAQs.pdf Mars 2020 Science Definition Team Report] at NASA.gov | * [http://mars.nasa.gov/files/m2020/Mars2020FAQs.pdf Mars 2020 Science Definition Team Report] at NASA.gov | ||
* {{YouTube|cU5MWtEs4L4|Proposed 2020 Mars Rover Science Goals (July 2013)}} | * {{YouTube|cU5MWtEs4L4|Proposed 2020 Mars Rover Science Goals (July 2013)}} | ||
* {{YouTube|1cRhU6bMLis|Mars 2020 Rover and Beyond News Teleconference (July 2014)}} | * {{YouTube|1cRhU6bMLis|Mars 2020 Rover and Beyond News Teleconference (July 2014)}} | ||
Revision as of 10:29, 30 August 2017
Mars 2020 is a Mars rover mission by NASA's Mars Exploration Program with a planned launch in 2020.
The as-yet unnamed Mars 2020 was announced by NASA on 4 December 2012 at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.[1] The rover's design will be derived from the Curiosity rover, but will carry a different scientific payload.[2] Nearly 60 proposals for rover instrumentation were evaluated and, on 31 July 2014, NASA announced the payload for the rover.
Contents
Mission
| Year | Launch | C3-Launch energy |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Apr 2018 – May 2018 | 7.7–11.1 km2/s2 |
| 2020 | Jul 2020 – Sep 2020 | 13.2 - 18.4 km2/s2 |
The rover is planned to be launched in 2020.[1] The Jet Propulsion Laboratory will manage the mission. The payload and science instruments for the mission were selected in July 2014 after an open competition for payloads[4] based on scientific objectives set one year earlier. Precise mission details will be determined by the mission's Science Definition Team.
In May 2017, evidence of the earliest known life on land may have been found in 3.48-billion-year-old geyserite, a mineral deposit often found around hot springs and geysers, uncovered in the Pilbara Craton of Western Australia.[5][6] These findings may be helpful in deciding where best to search for early signs of life on the planet Mars.[5][6]
Proposed objectives
The mission is part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program,
On 9 July 2013, the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team reiterated that the rover should look for signs of past life, collect samples for possible future return to Earth, and demonstrate technology for future human exploration of Mars. The Science Definition Team proposed the rover collect and package as many as 31 samples of rock cores and soil for a later mission to bring back for more definitive analysis in laboratories on Earth, but in 2015 the concept was changed to collect even more samples and distribute the tubes in small piles across the surface of Mars. However, returning the samples to Earth would likely require two additional missions: one rover to land on Mars, take the samples collected by Mars 2020, and launch them into Mars orbit; and another to collect the sample canister in Mars orbit and return it to Earth. Neither of those missions is under development by NASA,[7][8] but it has been suggested that the proposed Mars 2022 orbiter may play a role in such future mission.[7][9]
In September 2013 NASA launched an Announcement of Opportunity for researchers to propose and develop the instruments needed, including a core sample cache.[10] The chairman of the Science Definition Team stated that NASA does not presume that life ever existed on Mars, but given the recent Curiosity rover findings, past Martian life seems possible.[11]
The rover can make measurements and technology demonstrations to help designers of a human expedition understand any hazards posed by Martian dust, and will test technology to produce oxygen (O2) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).[12] Improved precision landing technology that enhances the scientific value of robotic missions also will be critical for eventual human exploration on the surface. Based on input from the Science Definition Team, NASA defined the final objectives for the 2020 rover. Those become the basis for soliciting proposals to provide instruments for the rover's science payload in the spring 2014.[12]
Design
As proposed, the rover will be based on the design of Curiosity.[1] While there will be differences in scientific instruments and the engineering required to support them, the entire landing system (including the sky crane and heat shield) and rover chassis can essentially be recreated without any additional engineering or research. This reduces overall technical risk for the mission, while saving funds and time on development.
A Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator, left over as a backup part for Curiosity during its construction, will power the rover.[1][13]
The rover mission and launch is estimated to cost about US$2.1 billion.[7] The mission's predecessor, the Mars Science Laboratory, cost US$2.5 billion in total.[1] The availability of spare parts will make the new rover somewhat more affordable. Curiosity's engineering team are also involved in the rover's design.[1][14]
In October 2016, NASA reported using the Xombie rocket to test the Lander Vision System (LVS), as part of the Autonomous Descent and Ascent Powered-flight Testbed (ADAPT) experimental technologies, for the Mars 2020 mission landing.[15]
Proposed scientific instruments
- Planetary Instrument for X-Ray Lithochemistry (PIXL), an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine the fine scale elemental composition of Martian surface materials.[16]
- Radar Imager for Mars' subsurface experiment (RIMFAX), a ground-penetrating radar to image dozens of meters beneath the rover.
- Mars Environmental Dynamic Analyzer (MEDA), a set of sensors that will provide measurements of temperature, wind speed and direction, pressure, relative humidity and dust size and shape. It would be provided by Spain's Centro de Astrobiología.
- The Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE) is an exploration technology investigation that will produce oxygen (O2) from Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).[17] This technology could be scaled up in the future for human life support or make rocket fuel for return missions.
- SuperCam, an instrument that can provide imaging, chemical composition analysis and mineralogy in rocks and regolith from a distance. It is similar to the ChemCam on the Curiosity rover but with four scientific instruments that will allow it to look for biosignatures.
- Mastcam-Z, a stereoscopic imaging system with the ability to zoom.
- Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC), an ultraviolet Raman spectrometer that uses fine-scale imaging and an ultraviolet (UV) laser to determine fine-scale mineralogy and detect organic compounds.[18]
- Mars Helicopter Scout (MHS) is a solar powered helicopter drone with a mass of Template:Convert that could help pinpoint interesting targets for study and plan the best driving route.[19][20] The helicopter would fly no more than 3 minutes per day and cover a distance of about Template:Convert daily.[21] It has coaxial rotors, a high resolution downward looking camera for navigation, landing, and science surveying of the terrain, and a communication system to relay data to the rover.
- Microphones will be used during the landing event, while driving, and when collecting samples.
Proposed landing sites
The following locations are the eight landing sites that were under consideration for Mars 2020[22] previous to the meeting in Pasedena, California Feb 2017.
- Columbia Hills, in Gusev Crater
- Eberswalde Crater
- Holden Crater
- Jezero Crater
- Mawrth Vallis
- Northeastern region of Syrtis Major Planum
- Nili Fossae
- Southwestern region of Melas Chasma
A workshop was held on 8–10 February 2017 in Pasadena, California, to discuss these sites, with the goal of narrowing down the list to 3-4 final sites for further consideration.
- Jezero Crater
- Northeastern region of Syrtis Major Planum
- Columbia Hills, in Gusev Crater, where the Spirit rover landed
Reactions
In reaction to the announcement, California U.S. Representative Adam Schiff came out in support of the Mars rover mission plans, saying that "an upgraded rover with additional instrumentation and capabilities is a logical next step that builds upon now proven landing and surface operations systems."[1] Schiff also said he favored an expedited launch in 2018 which would enable an even greater payload to be launched to Mars. Schiff said he would be working with NASA, White House administration and Congress to explore the possibility of advancing the launch date.[1]
NASA's science chief John Grunsfeld responded that while it could be possible to launch in 2018, "it would be a push." Grunsfeld said a 2018 launch would require certain science investigations be excluded from the rover and that even the 2020 launch target would be "ambitious."[1]
Space educator Bill Nye added his support for the planned mission saying, “We don't want to stop what we're doing on Mars because we're closer than ever to answering these questions: Was there life on Mars and stranger still, is there life there now in some extraordinary place that we haven't yet looked at? Mars was once very wet—it had oceans and lakes. Did life start on Mars and get flung into space and we are all descendants of Martian microbes? It's not crazy, and it's worth finding out. It's worth the cost of a cup of coffee per taxpayer every 10 years or 13 years to find out.” Nye also endorsed a Mars sample-return role, saying “The amount of information you can get from a sample returned from Mars is believed to be extraordinarily fantastic and world-changing and worthy."[23]
The selection has been criticized for NASA's constant attention to Mars,[24] and neglecting other Solar System destinations in constrained budget times. Contrary to usual NASA practices, the mission was approved for flight before a Science Definition Team (SDT) had been formed to decide on the mission's purpose and goals.
See also
- Astrobiology
- Climate of Mars
- ExoMars rover
- Exploration of Mars
- Life on Mars
- List of missions to Mars
- Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter and Small Rover
- Mars Orbiter Mission
- Mars sample return mission
- Water on Mars
External links
- Mars 2020 website
- Mars 2020 Science Definition Team Report at NASA.gov
- Template:YouTube
- Template:YouTube
<ref> tag;
no text was provided for refs named NASA-20140731a<ref> tag;
no text was provided for refs named goals
