Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
About the Mission
Mars Sample Return, as described on NASA’s website:
“Mars Sample Return is a proposed mission to return samples from the surface of Mars to Earth. The mission would use robotic systems and a Mars ascent rocket to collect and send samples of Martian rocks, soils and atmosphere to Earth for detailed chemical and physical analysis.“
The Sample Retrieval Lander, as described on NASA’s website:
“NASA’s Sample Retrieval Lander would touch down on Mars and remain in place to receive a diverse collection of scientifically curated samples of Martian rock already collected and cached by NASA’s Perseverance rover.
The lander would be the first ever to bring along a rocket — NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle — and two helicopters, to help achieve the goal of bringing the samples safely to Earth for study. The Mars Ascent Vehicle would launch off the Red Planet, carrying samples into Mars orbit to meet the Earth Return Orbiter provided by the European Space Agency (ESA).“
My Contribution
As a mechatronics engineer on this mission, I have led the mechanical design for a variety of elements on the Sample Retrieval Lander. This includes the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) bay door, MAV restraint and release, and the sample tube carrier.