MarsDrive

Mars Sample Return Mission Design Contest 

Update: Revised Submissions were recieved by the due date of November 1st 2007 and at this stage we are in the final 6 month judging phase. Don Rapp is helping in the judging also. The winning results will be announced May 1st 2008 and published in the Mars Society 2008 conference. All current submissions can be accessed here.

According to the NASA MEPAG Report: Science Analysis of the November 3, 2005 Version of the Draft Mars Exploration Program Plan the following reasons support the need for a MSR mission in the near-term: 

• The resolution and range of analyses available in terrestrial labs will be much better than anything we will be able to fly in the foreseeable future. 
• The samples will serve as ground truth for the huge volumes of remote sensing and in-situ data that have been and will be obtained.
• Potential international partners, including ESA, are now considering incorporating sample return into their mission plans. This mission is perhaps best implemented as a joint NASA/ESA activity, thereby sharing the cost and technology development. 
• An MSR mission directly supports the eventual human exploration of Mars. Results from sample return will provide science and engineering data not readily obtainable by remote sensing or in-situ analysis. It further demonstrates “proof-of-concept” and learning relevant to the round-trip essential for human exploration of Mars.  

Similarly, it can provide the model for how to conduct in international human Mars exploration program. The purpose of the MSR-ISPP design contest is to allow undergraduate college students and the general public to propose, on a competitive basis, innovative ideas, design concepts and new enabling technologies that would enable an unmanned mission to the planet Mars,collect samples and return them to Earth for study. As a secondary objective, the mission will provide a test bed for producing propellant from local resources (ISRU). This objective will help in designing near-term human explorations of Mars..

MarsDrive will award the prizes to the projects that best meet the required objectives. MSR/ISRU Overview Contest summary Design and plan an unmanned mission to place a scientific payload on the surface of Mars

1. collect geologic and astrobiological samples
2. use local Martian resources to produce a quantity of propellant (methane, LOX) to allow the collected samples to leave the surface and return to LEO. 

The design must include all outbound stages from launch to TMI to Martian surface rendezvous and all return stages from surface lift off to TEI to either LEO or Earth splashdown. All materials and technologies employed in mission design will be assessed by our panel of judges for feasibility and credibility. Use of existing or near-term components is encouraged. Design can use components from multiple sources, countries and corporations. The project design should satisfy the following mission requirements:

“Launch acquisition” Phase

•  The mission may be accomplished using any variety of interplanetary transfer. It should also be launched using existing or near-term launch vehicles. Choices of both trajectories and launch vehicles should be thoroughly discussed, and their rationales presented in a clear, detailed manner. • The mission must specify a target and backup landing zone, and the ability of the proposed lander to touchdown at both sites must be demonstrated. Both pre-descent Mars Orbital Insertion and direct entry are acceptable approaches. Candidate sites must be clearly identified, and reasons as to their selection given.“Science” Phase
• The mission should adequately protect against the contamination of collected Martian samples by Terrestrial Organisms. • The mission should be equipped with instruments appropriate for the scientific exploration of Mars. (Examples below) • Equipment mobility (rover, aerial or other)• Manipulation equipment (arms, diggers, drills or other) • Scientific astrobiology measurements: 

“ISRU” Phase

•  Propellant for Earth return must be created using indigenous Martian resources, in whole or in part. No specific propellant combination is required. 

 Complete Mission Cost

• The entire mission cost must be assessed and estimated, including development, testing, and implementation.Recurring costs, such as ground operations and support personnel estimates must also be included. Note that feasibility will be assessed based in significant part on cost estimates. Realistic missions shouldhave total costs <$1 billion USD. This is an extremely aggressive cap but is intended more to spawn “out of the box” ideas. 

Mission Requirements

Technological Requirements

 The project design should address the following technology issues by using either existing or in development systems. These will be a main focus in the overall success of the design. 

1. Sample Quarantine and Containment
2. Sample Grab Mechanism
3. Astrobiology Experiment equipment/techniques
4. Mars Ascent Vehicle
5. In Situ Propellant Production (specifics on techniques,amounts produced)
6. Aerocapture and Landing Mechanisms. 

Astrobiology Requirements 

The project design should address the following scientific issues for answering and/or performing various astrobiology experiments. The ultimate goal in the search for life on Mars is to determine if therewas ever life on that planet and if there was life to determine the genetics, biochemistry, and planetary ecology of that life. The following are areas of interest to astrobiology. 

1. Light element geochemistry
2. Weathering history
3. Residual organics
4. Iron redox state
5. Magnetic fraction
6. Interplanetary dust particles
7. Oxidant

 Basis for Judging 

1. Technical Content (35 points)This concerns the use of applicable technical concepts as well as the contextual understanding and application. 
2. Organization and Presentation (20 points)The description of the design and the matter in which it is communicated. Organization of the overall concepts and detailed components are major factors. 
3. Originality (20 points)The design proposal should avoid standard textbook information, and should show the independence of thinking or a fresh approach to the project. 
4. Practical Application and Feasibility (25 points)The proposal should present conclusions or recommendations that are feasible and practical. Mission Selection Designs will be selected from submissions by a panel of leading experts in various areas of expertise including: 

• Astrobiology: Dr. Christopher P. McKay, Planetary Scientist with the Space Science Division of NASA Ames.
• ISRU: Dr Robert Zubrin, founder of the Mars Society
• Science/Engineering: Louis Friedman, President of the Planetary Society

The designs will be judged on their feasibility, cost effectiveness, achievement of scientific goals and ability to land a manned presence on Mars.

• Dr Chris Mckay 
• Dr Robert Zubrin
• Louis Friedman 
• Grant Bonin 

Schedule and Activities Significant activities and dates are as follows: 

We are excited by the many different designs and are confident that this project will produce some unique designs to stimulate this whole field. We will announce the competition participants by the end of November this year also.

Contest Prizes

1st Prize - All expense-paid trip to present at the ISDC 2008 Conference• $500 Cash purse,• Showcased on all MarsDrive partners sites• Submission to the AIAA• Recognition at the annual Mars Society International Conference 

2nd Prize - $100 Cash purse• Showcased on all MarsDrive partners sites

Submissions
All entrants must submit their abstract via email. Entrants will need to include information about themselves (name, email address, short bio, school name if applicable), and information about their paper (title, and abstract). 

Abstract format
A summary of the science objectives, engineering and mission objectives and how they will be met.-Text, between 300 and 500 words. Word or PDF-To be submitted by end of Summer 2006 (exact dates to follow) 

Final Design format
Detailed presentation as to how the mission, technological and astrobiological requirements will be met.-Text and amount of visuals needed to properly convey the mission design.-

To be submitted no later than the end of the end of February 2007 (exact dates to follow) for more submission details or questions, please contact \n This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it