Future Mars Missions

[jaki]

Could anyone tell me what Nasa or Esa have planned for the next step in the exploration of Mars, and also i read about a sample/return mission and i was wondering when that would be happening.

[pumpkinpie]

Could anyone tell me what Nasa or Esa have planned for the next step in the exploration of Mars, and also i read about a sample/return mission and i was wondering when that would be happening.

From NASA, next up is the Mars Reconnaissance Oribter, to be launched in August '05.

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, scheduled for launch in 2005, will be equipped with cameras to zoom in for extreme close-up photography of the martian surface, carry a sounder to find subsurface water and look for safe and scientifically worthy landing sites for future exploration.

Equipped with the most powerful camera ever flown on a planetary exploration mission, the Reconnaissance Orbiter will home in on details of martian terrain with extraordinary clarity. While previous cameras on other Mars orbiters were asked to identify objects no smaller than a dinner table, this camera will be able to spot something as small as a dinner plate.

A sample return mission, according to NASA, could be launched no earlier than 2014. Go here for all NASA's future missions. (look in Beyond 2009 for sample return info.)

[tlbs101]

Hopefully It will be able to see something as small as a Beagle, or a Polar Lander, or even a Sojourner.

[JonClarke]

Hi Jaki

There are quite a few missions on the books after 2005. In 2007 NASA will send the Phoenix lander, essentially the cancelled 2001 lander with the addition of some backup instruments from MPL. I understand there will also be the Mars Communications Orbiter. In 2009 there is the enormous MSL rover.

ESA is planning to send the ExoMars mission in 2009, featuring an orbiter and a large rover. In 2011 they plan to begin the Mars Sample Return mission. The first elements will be the Orbiter and the Earth Re-entry
Modules. The Descent and Ascent Modules are supposed to launch in 2013.

A Beagle 3 and a Russian Phobos sample return mission are supposed to be in the planning stage. Your guess as to when (and if) they will actually fly is a s good as mine.

Cheers

Jon