Title :
Mars Science Laboratory focused technology program overview
Author :
Udomkesmalee, S. Gabriel ; Hayati, Samad A.
Author_Institution :
Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA
Abstract :
The Mars Technology Program (MTP) is part of the NASA Mars Exploration Program (MEP). The purpose of MTP is to develop technologies needed for future Mars missions, including Mars Scouts. The two principle program elements of MTP are the focused technology and the base technology programs. The focused technology program addresses technologies that are specific and critical to near-term missions, while the base technology program addresses those technologies that are applicable for multiple missions and which can be characterized as longer term, higher risk, and high payoff technologies. This paper describes the MTP focused technology program for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission outlining the mission´s technical and project challenges including infusion of time-critical technology deliverables, and the process, procedures, tools and people involved in meeting those challenges. Critical technologies for this mission are: entry, descent, and landing system, Mars lander engine, long-life, extreme environment actuators, sample acquisition/sample processing and handling system, advanced rover technologies, mobility technologies, and integrated simulation tool.
Keywords :
Mars; aerospace instrumentation; space research; space vehicles; Mars Science Laboratory; Mars Scouts; Mars Technology Program; Mars lander engine; Mars missions; NASA Mars Exploration Program; base technology program; descent system; entry system; extreme environment actuators; focused technology program; handling system; integrated simulation tool; landing system; mobility technologies; rover technologies; sample acquisition system; sample processing system; time-critical technology;
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Conference, 2005 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Big Sky, MT
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-8870-4
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.2005.1559387