Phootprint

Phootprint
Names Phobos Sample Return Mission
Mission type Technology demonstrattor, sample return
Operator European Space Agency
Mission duration 3.5 years (planned)[1]
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Airbus Defense and Space
Launch mass 4,200 kg (9,300 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date 2024 (proposed)
Rocket Ariane 5
Launch site Guiana Space Centre
End of mission
Disposal Re-entry capsule
Landing date ~2027
Orbital parameters
Reference system Mars

Phobos

Phobos lander
Sample mass 800 g; return about 100 g (0.22 lb)

Phootprint is a proposed sample-return mission to the Mars moon Phobos by the European Space Agency (ESA), proposed to be launched in 2024.

Overview and status

The Phootprint mission is a candidate for the Mars Robotic Exploration Preparation Programme 2 (MREP-2) at ESA.[1] During 2014, ESA funded a pre-phase A feasibility study and industrial system studies of 8-month duration.[1][2] Currently, it is in phase A, meaning 'mission definition study.'

The mission is proposed to be launched with an Ariane 5 on 2024 with early 2026 as backup date.[1] An Earth swingby would provide greater launcher margin.[1] The spacecraft would orbit Mars for the characterisation phase,[1][3] and when ready, it would maneuver into a quasi-satellite orbit to facilitate landing.[1] Because of the low gravity, the lander would be anchored to the surface during sample collection and launch of the Earth Re-entry Capsule (ERC).

The mission would last about 3.5 years, including cruise, mapping orbit, 7 days on the surface, and sample return cruise time.[1] The spacecraft would be powered by solar arrays.

In August 2015, the ESA-Roscosmos working group on post-ExoMars cooperation, completed a joint study for a possible future Phobos Sample Return mission, and preliminary discussions were held.[4][5]

Objectives

Phobos, one of the two moons of Mars

The top-level science goal is to understand the formation of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos and put constraints on the evolution of the Solar System (co-formation, capture, impact ejecta).[1]

The mission objectives are: [1]

Mission engineers remark that "no rebound" after landing is a critical condition given the low-gravity environment of landing.[6] Currently, engineers at ESA are leaning toward four cantilever-type landing legs with crushable aluminium honeycomb shock absorber and secondary load limiters.[1]

Spacecraft

The preliminary concept of Phootprint spacecraft is still preliminary and composed by three modules: [6]

Proposed payload

As of 2014, a 30 kg payload is foreseen: [3]

Mission architecture

The proposed mission architecture is: [7]

  1. Ariane 5 launch from Kourou in direct escape
  2. Transfer to Mars (11 months)
  3. Nine months orbiting Phobos/Mars dedicated to science observations and sampling (7 days on the surface)
  4. Departure from Mars to Earth (8 months)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Barraclough, Simon; Ratcliffe, Andrew; Buchwald, Robert; Scheer, Heloise; Chapuy, Marc; Garland, Martin (June 16, 2014). Phootprint: A European Phobos Sample Return Mission (PDF). 11th International Planetary Probe Workshop. Airbus Defense and Space.
  2. ↑ Supporting the Mars Robotic Exploration Preparation Programme. ESA. 4 July 2015.
  3. 1 2 Koschny, Detlef; Svedhem, Håkan; Rebuffat, Denis (August 2, 2014). "Phootprint - A Phobos sample return mission study". ESA. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  4. ↑ "ESA at MAKS 2015". European Space Agency. Zhukovsky, Russia: ESA. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  5. ↑ Kane, Van (9 June 2014). "A Checkup on Future Mars Missions". The Planetary Society. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  6. 1 2 Chitu, Cristian Corneliu; Stefanescu, Raluca; Bajanaru, Paul; Galipienzo, Julio; Rybus, Tomasz; Seweryn, Karol; Visentin, Gianfranco; Ortega, Cristina; Barciński, Tomasz (2014). Design and Development of an Active Landing Gear System for Robotically Enhanced Surface Touchdown (PDF). European Space Research and Technology Centre. European Space Agency.
  7. ↑ "Sample Return Missions Requirements for Earth Reentry Capsules TPS". D. Rebuffat. ESA.
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