Mars Sample Return - studies for a fresh look

Mars Sample Return (MSR) is a key mission in the plan for Mars exploration. During 2001, NASA issued contracts to four industrial teams to conduct a broad trade study of what they envisioned to be the best implementation of MSR; the teams were subsequently tasked with focusing on a specific concept and fleshing-out a design sufficiently to provide a cost for the mission. Finally, the teams were asked to identify any technology development or demonstrations that are prerequisite to the mission. This paper describes the breadth of rich trade space that exists for this mission. Included in the paper are both the themes resulting from the industry studies and the general scope of the focused concepts used to assess the current planning for the mission and precursor missions. The results suggest that a scientifically justifiable mission is possible, and that technology and precursor mission demonstration plans currently in the Mars Program are justified (with some modifications).