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

particle sizes, wavelength ranges, and viewing geometries for applicability to spacecraft observations of
the martian surface and atmosphere. Theoretical model developments must also proceed to be able to link
quantitatively flight and laboratory-based data sets. Laboratory studies are also needed that help
determine the survival of organics under martian surface conditions. Support is required for basic
laboratory research with potential in situ instrument development even at laboratory scale. Increased
collaboration with the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and other institutions
addressing similar scientific and technological challenges related to microbial life at low temperatures
will enhance this work.
Earth-Based Observations
Earth-based telescopic observations have been important for understanding the current and past
conditions for the martian atmosphere and surface. For example, the reported detection of methane in the
atmosphere has been a critical factor that has helped shape the plans for new orbital measurements. These
observation types should continue and evolve to support spacecraft observations.
ADVANCING STUDIES OF MARS: 2013-2022
Previously Recommended Missions
The 2003 planetary science decadal survey recommended five Mars missions—technology
development to enable Mars sample return, the Mars Science Laboratory, a long-lived lander network, an
upper atmosphere orbiter, and the Mars Scout program. Of these five recommended missions, three have
flown or are in final development. The upper atmosphere mission is being implemented as the Mars
Scout MAVEN mission, with a planned 2013 launch. The MSL mission is planned to launch in 2011 and
the Mars Scout program has produced both the Phoenix lander (2008) and MAVEN. MSL, which was
described only in very general terms in the 2003 report, grew significantly in capability beyond what the
2003 survey envisioned, and will achieve significantly more science than originally planned. The PI-led
Scout program has been incorporated into the Discovery program.
Mars Sample Return Campaign
New Mission
The committee places as the highest priority Mars science goal to address in detail the questions
of habitability and the potential origin and evolution of life on Mars. A critical next step toward
answering these questions will be provided through the analysis of carefully selected samples from
geologically diverse and well-characterized sites that are returned to Earth for detailed study using a wide
diversity of laboratory techniques. Therefore, the highest priority missions for Mars in the coming decade
are the elements of the Mars sample return campaign—the Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C)
to collect and cache samples, followed by the Mars Sample Return Lander (MSR-L) and the Mars Sample
Return Orbiter (MSR-O) to retrieve these samples and return them to Earth, where they will be analyzed
in the Mars returned sample handling facility (MRSH) (Figure 6.7).
MAX-C is the critical first element of Mars sample return and should be viewed primarily in the
context of sample return, rather than as a separate mission that is independent of the sample return
objective. The MAX-C mission, by design, focuses on the collection and caching of samples from a site
with the highest potential to study aqueous environments, potential prebiotic chemistry, and habitability.
In order to minimize cost and focus the technology development, the mission emphasizes the sample
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