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VK1DSN > SPACE 30.12.07 23:16l 79 Lines 3746 Bytes #999 (0) @ VKNET
BID : 33706_VK1DSN
Read: GUEST
Subj: MARS Sample Return Mission
Path: IZ3LSV<IW2OAZ<CX2SA<ZL2BAU<VK6HGR<VK6BBS<VK1DSN
Sent: 071216/1617Z @:VK1DSN.ACT.AUS.OC #:33706 [Canberra,QF44lo] FBB7.00i
From: VK1DSN@VK1DSN.ACT.AUS.OC
To : SPACE@VKNET
Dec. 10, 2007
Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726
dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 07-269
INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLANS STRATEGY FOR MARS SAMPLE RETURN MISSION
WASHINGTON - NASA and an international team are developing plans and seeking
recommendations to launch the first Mars mission to bring soil samples back to
Earth. The ability to study soil from Mars here on Earth will contribute
significantly to answering questions about the possibility of life on the Red
Planet. Returned samples also will increase understanding of the useful or
harmful properties of Martian soil, which will support planning for the
eventual human exploration of Mars.
A task force named the International Mars Architecture for Return of Samples,
or IMARS, recently met in Washington to lay the foundation for an international
collaboration to return samples from Mars. NASA hosted the meeting. IMARS
meeting participants included representatives from more than half a dozen
countries and NASA, the European Space Agency, or ESA, the Canadian Space
Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
IMARS is a committee of the International Mars Exploration Working Group, or
IMEWG. The group was formed in 1993 to provide a forum for the international
coordination of Mars exploration missions.
"The potential paradigm-changing science from Mars samples makes this mission a
high priority of the National Academy of Sciences," said Doug McCuistion, NASA'
s Mars Exploration program director, Science Mission Directorate, Washington.
"The exciting progress being made by the IMARS team is contributing directly to
making this mission a reality in the next decade, All spacefaring nations have
a standing invitation from IMEWG to participate in IMARS."
Scientists reviewed past engineering work on a Mars sample return mission,
international science priorities, and sample receiving facility requirements.
The IMARS team made significant progress in many of the key issues associated
with the integration of science and engineering challenges. The team
established a common strategy for launching a Mars sample return mission and
achieving scientific objectives that can be met only by returning Martian soil
to Earth.
"For Europe this is a major step to shape the future of the ESA Aurora
Exploration Programme in 2008," said Bruno Gardini, ESA's Exploration Program
Manager. The Aurora Programme is part of Europe's strategy for space, initiated
by ESA in 2001 to create and implement a long-term European plan for robotic
and human exploration of the solar system.
The next steps in preparing for a Mars sample return mission includes more
detailed international trade studies on engineering and mission specifics,
greater detail on science and sample requirements, and definition and
requirements for Earth-based facilities. IMARS will address the technical
issues in upcoming meetings, along with preliminary discussions of the possible
roles of interested nations and agencies.
For more information about NASA's Mars Program, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/mars
-end-
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