Vision and Voyages for Planetary Science in the - Solar System ...

The MSR-O element (which is under consideration for the following decade) and includes the
flight of the Earth entry vehicle requires development of optical sensors, autonomous rendezvous
guidance and radio beacons for rendezvous with the orbiting sample container. Technology development
for the MSR-Orbiter would need to begin in FY17 to support an FY22 launch. All of the component
technologies for the Earth-entry vehicle are available today, including the carbon phenolic heat shield
material that meets the planetary protection requirements. However, the Earth-entry vehicle requires a
rigorous ground-based test program and a systems validation flight test to ensure sufficiently high
reliability. This technology development would need to begin in FY15 to support an FY22 launch.
INSTRUMENTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Science instruments for future missions will require increased funding beyond that provided by
current levels of programs to mature instrumentation to TRL 6. In addition to the near-term development
of miniaturized instruments, such as Raman, infrared, and elemental spectrometers, needed for selection
of samples for caching by MAX-C, and the long-term development of instruments for follow-on in situ
science should be supported, focusing on the most important future in situ measurements. Examples
include isotopic characterization of a variety of biomarkers, identification of organic materials indicative
of current or past biological systems, sensitive life detection experiments, analysis of metastable minerals
and organic compounds, and in situ geochronology experiments.
Mars Telecommunications
Addition of a relay payload with standardized protocols to each science orbiter provides an
extremely cost-effective means for establishing a Mars orbiter relay network. Maintaining redundant
relay assets whenever relay services are required is a goal, and the key to achieving this goal is attaining a
long operational lifetime for each orbital relay asset. NASA’s Deep Space Network remains a critical
part of the Mars exploration infrastructure. Continued development of on-board data processing methods
can alleviate mission bandwidth constraints for near term missions. In the longer term both orbital and
landed missions will greatly benefit from optical communication technologies.
Sample Curation and Laboratory Facilities
Sample return missions are unique in that they require a well-developed infrastructure and
capabilities for the appropriate curation and analyses of the returned materials. Dedicated curation
laboratories must be designed and constructed before samples are returned. Special requirements for
long-term preservation of ices, atmospheric samples, volatiles, and metastable materials are required, as
are screening for life and biohazards in a dedicated sample receiving facility. There is need for continued
development of advanced sample processing and preparation techniques. The recommendations of the
NRC’s 2002 report The Quarantine and Certification of Martian Samples may need to be examined and
updated as necessary based on the current plans for the nature and quantity of the returned sample.
Supporting Laboratory and Theoretical Studies
Relevant laboratory studies have in the past been deferred, due largely to their expense, but are
essential to support sample return. The development and maintenance of spectral reference libraries for
atmospheric and surface composition studies, in ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and microwave spectral
ranges need to be undertaken. Materials must be measured at the appropriate temperatures, pressures,
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