November 8-10, 1991 - Klofas.com

Comments on Proposed
AMSAT MARS-A Experiment
1991 AMSAT-NA Technical Symposium
Los Angeles, Nov. 9-10
Martin Davidoff, Ph. D. (DUDC)
BACKGROUND
At the July 1991 AMSAT-UK meeting Dr. Karl Meinzer (DJ4ZC) announced that
the European Space Agency (ESA) had formally agreed to launch the AMSAT Phase
3D spacecraft with a mass of 500 - 600 kg in mid 1995. The allocated payload
capacity would permit AMSAT to include on this mission an experimental system
consisting of a sUbsatellite designed to be placed in orbit around Mars (referred to
here as AMSAT MARS-A). Initial calculations indicate that the propulsion
requirements are attainable. However, there remain a number of serious questions
concerning the feasibility of such a mission. These include: the effort and cost
associated with mastering the technical aspects of designing/constructing/
controlling an interplanetary spacecraft, and "mundane tt matters such as whether
the P3D antenna system will require the volume which may be used for MARS-A.
The MARS-A mission is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of
those currently involved in AMSAT-OSCAR design/construction. I feel very
strongly that AMSAT should devote the effort necessary to clearly define the
requirements for the MARS-A mission so that an accurate assessment of the costs
and probability of success can be made before a proposal to undertake the mission
is accepted or rejected. Table 1 summarizes previous Mars missions.
MISSION GOALS (proposed)
The MARS-A mission should be thought of as one of several technology
experiments on the P3D spacecraft. As a result, it is not necessary to add
scientific experiments to MARS-A to justify its existence.
I'd like to see the goals of the MARS-A mission defined as follows:
Primary Goal: To orbit satellite about Mars.
Secondary Goal: To develop low cost, high reliability spacecraft
technology for interplanetary (1) navigation, (2) command and
control, (3) propulsion, (4) communication.
Every precaution must be taken to see that MARS-A does not have a negative
impact on P3D either through its design or by siphoning off critical work force or
funds. To minimize impact on the primary P3D spacecraft the MARS-A mission
should be kept as simple as possible consistent with the stated objectives.
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