ESA News
http://www.esa.int

21 July 2008

Mars Sample Return: bridging robotic and human exploration

The first robotic mission to return samples to Earth from Mars took a
further step toward realisation with the recent publication of a mission
design report by the iMARS Working Group. The report defines key elements of
the future internationally-funded mission involving the cooperation of ESA,
NASA and other national agencies.

iMARS, which stands for the International Mars Architecture for the Return
of Samples, is a committee of the International Mars Exploration Working
Group made up of scientists, engineers, strategic planners, and managers.
The report, which comes after months of deliberation, outlines the
scientific and engineering requirements of such an international mission to
be undertaken in the timeframe 2020-2022.

The Mars Sample Return mission is an essential step with respect to future
exploration goals and the prospect of establishing a future human mission to
Mars. Returned samples will increase the knowledge of the properties of
Martian soil and contribute significantly to answering questions about the
possibility of life on the Red Planet. This mission will improve our
understanding of the Mars environment to support planning for the future
human exploration.

The iMARS report outlines the mission's scientific objectives including the
types and quantities of samples to be returned from Mars; the different
mission elements (launchers, spacecraft, Mars lander, a rover and a Mars
ascent vehicle) and ground processing facilities necessary to contain and
analyse the received samples in a protected environment. A preliminary
timeline for the mission and approximate budget has also been defined.

"Exploration is gaining momentum year by year, as is the experience and
knowledge gained by ESA and its international partners in this area" said
Bruno Gardini ESA's Exploration Programme Manager in the Directorate of
Human Spaceflight and iMARS study leader. "The information we gain from
current Mars missions and from the ISS provide a basis not only for future
robotic missions but also a stepping stone for the human exploration
missions."

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