This site may earn chapter commissions from the links on this page. Terms of utilize.

NASA's Ames Research Center has developed a draft proposal for a mission that would call back soil samples from Mars and evangelize them back to Globe. It's ambitious to exist sure, but NASA scientists are optimistic virtually the so-called "Cherry-red Dragon" proposal, and then named considering it would rely on a modified version of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. According to the squad, this mission could be feasible in the early 2020s, just in fourth dimension for NASA'southward next Mars rover mission.

Repurposing near-Earth spacecraft for longer voyages is usually a bad thought that never gets past the initial design stages. However, SpaceX designed the Dragon sheathing to be highly adaptable. Later all, the manned Dragon is essentially the same vessel that's already in operation as an automated cargo transport.

CEO Elon Musk says the Falcon ix Heavy is powerful enough to take the fully loaded Dragon to Mars, provided information technology is not needed for the return trip. A lighter payload could make it all the way to Jupiter. He and SpaceX were non involved in the blueprint of the Reddish Dragon mission, but Musk has since come out in favor of the basic thought, noting that the Dragon vehicle is designed to land on any surface in the solar organization.

red-dragon-mission-concept

Landing on the surface of Mars becomes an increasingly tricky trouble as you increase in mass. The temper is too sparse for parachutes to do all the work, and delicate components don't take kindly to hard impacts. The one-ton Marvel rover was landed with the assistance of a rocket sled, but the Cerise Dragon would accept a ii-ton payload at least. Ames scientists call up the Red Dragon tin can set down without any parachutes, using only the Super Draco engines that are existence developed for the emergency arrest organisation on manned Dragon capsules. This would permit Scarlet Dragon to rendezvous with the planned 2020 NASA Mars rover, which volition have already collected soil samples for the render mission.

It would be inefficient to try and elevator the whole dragon capsule back off the Martian surface, and then instead information technology would carry a small-scale Mars rise vehicle that would launch into orbit. The lower gravity and thinner atmosphere on Mars brand information technology easier to accomplish orbit. This arts and crafts would line upwards for an Globe encounter, then release a smaller Earth return vehicle with the samples on board. Once information technology's in low-Earth orbit, a 2nd Dragon sheathing will be sent upwardly to remember it.

Getting samples of Martian soil back to World would be the best mode to acquire about the history and composition of Mars. There'due south only so much a rover can practise from millions of miles away, and if scientists come up with a new idea for a examination, they have to look for the next mission. Having fresh samples would accelerate things greatly. Perchance we'd finally be able to effigy out if Mars has ever supported life.