Abstract In the context of the NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign a Sample Fetch Rover (SFR) has been studied to acquire sample tubes cached on the surface by NASA's Perseverance rover and return them to the Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL) for launch into Mars orbit. The current SFR design, similar in size to ESA's ExoMars Rover, faced significant challenges in terms of accommodation on the lander. An alternative mini Sample Fetch Rover (mSFR) concept is explored in response to these challenges, aiming at a mass target around 20 kg. The miniaturised rover is assessed against some reduced mission requirements to evaluate its usefulness for MSR. The main areas of the mSFR design are discussed herein, with particular attention to traverse and tube fetching strategy. The study suggests that the concept is feasible and could be accommodated on SRL with minimum impact to the lander's design. Furthermore, preliminary analysis shows how the small vehicle could perform a useful role in MSR, making it particularly attractive as a simple backup to other tube delivery methods. Lastly, future investigations and areas of improvement are suggested.
Highlights Miniaturised rover concept studied for Mars Sample Return. Rover system architecture assessed against mission requirements. Possible to use a 20-kg-class fetch rover as a simple backup for sample retrieval. A 20-kg rover has low risk technologies and minimum impact on the lander.
A miniaturised fetch rover concept for Mars sample return
Acta Astronautica ; 206 ; 168-176
2023-02-19
9 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Mini , Fetch , Rover , Mars , Sample , return , AGL , Absolute Global Localisation , CBE , Current Best Estimate , CFA , Cumulative Fractional Area , COTS , Commercial Off-The-Shelf , DEM , Digital Elevation Map , EEV , Earth Entry Vehicle , ERO , Earth Return Orbiter , ESA , European Space Agency , FPGA , Field-Programmable Gate Array , GNC , Guidance Navigation and Control , HDRM , Hold-Down and Release Mechanism , HEPA , High-Efficiency Particulate Air , IMU , Inertial Measurement Unit , MAV , Mars Ascent Vehicle , MCU , Microprocessor Control Unit , MEMS , Micro Electro-Mechanical System , MFEX , Microrover Flight Experiment , MSR , Mars Sample Return , NASA , National Aeronautics and Space Administration , OS , Orbiting Sample , PWM , Pulse-Width Modulator , RHU , Radioisotope Heater Unit , SFR , Sample Fetch Rover , SRF , Sample Receiving Facility , SRL , Sample Retrieval Lander , STA , Sample Transfer Arm , VBD , Vision-Based Detection
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