The NASA Mars Sample Return (MSR) program is in jeopardy. Congress has rejected the $11 billion price tag (three times the original cost). The mission is on the verge of cancellation, putting key geological science and the search for life on Mars on hold. One key reason for the cost is the mass of the sample return payload, driving the need for new lander technology and operational complexity. While the samples themselves are on the order of 1-2 kg, the mass of the sample return system is significantly higher due to strict rules for planetary protection. Complex sterilization, sample containment, quarantines, and special mission ConOps are the state of the art . This result is complex onboard handling and sealing systems, and Earth-based sample processing facilities (including sample sterilization before distributing to labs). Each piece of the architecture is consequently heavier and more expensive.
By pioneering the use of in-situ radioisotope sterilization (within the sample container itself), we propose an innovative solution to planetary protection, which reduces the mass and complexity of the architecture. Irradiation sterilization affects organism viability, leaving bulk material largely unaffected (unlike heat/chemical methods). On Earth, radioactive sources used for sterilization provide an intense radiation for a short period, “high throughput.” However, hundreds of days or more are available for MSR missions, so a source six orders of magnitude smaller (for “low-throughput” sterilization) can enable a simple mechanism to provide robust planetary protection, and potentially sustainable architectures not just for Mars, but across the solar system.
7/2/24: Read our NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Phase I proposal.
For a more in-depth overview of the dramatic impacts of this patent-pending technology, two architectures for returning samples from the surface of Mars are proposed below. Both of these approaches were carefully designed around in-situ sample sterilization. One approach went on to become the NIAC Phase I concept. Download our white paper via the link below to read more.
In-Situ Sterilization Enabling Sustainable Mars Sample Return With a Mini-MAV
The proposed Orbiting Sample container (OS) has a mass of 2.4 kg, enabling a MAV of under 150 kg. Because of the reduced size and mass of this "Mini MAV" (MMAV), the down-mass fits within the envelope of a modified Perseverance-class rover.
In-Situ Sterilization Enabling Mars Sample Lofting via High-Altitude Hybrid Balloons and a Skyhook
A 40-m solar balloon can carry the proposed 2.4 kg OS to an altitude of 30 km, and as high as 60 km if the solar balloon is a hybrid which can achieve photophoretic propulsion. A purpose-built skyhook system can retrieve the OS from the hybrid balloon at 60 km altitude. The “risk” of the skyhook retrieval method enables the use of an InSight-class lander, which flew for $829 million.
Save Mars Sample Return!
Planet Enterprises, in collaboration with G21 Nucleonics, University of Pennsylvania, Astralytical, and Orbital Arc, hope that this unique approach to Mars Sample Return can:
Provide a sustainable architecture for MSR, or
Help contribute to the return of MSR to a programmatically feasible footing in some way, or
Inspire other innovative MSR solutions or collaborations, thereby contributing at least in a secondary fashion to the ultimate MSR solution.
For these reasons, we are releasing this white paper version of our two Rapid Mission Design Studies for Mars Sample Return (RAS MSR ‘24) proposals to the public. Our enthusiasm for the contributions to science which returned Mars samples will offer humankind is genuine, and we believe this inspirational planetary science program can become one of the defining events of the 21st century—if it loses a little weight, while still keeping both planets safe.
If you would like to collaborate with us or license this technology, please reach out to us at savemsr@planet.enterprises. For all other inquiries, please use webinquiries@planet.enterprises. Thank you!