Astrobotic has been selected by NASA’s Mars Exploration Program to conduct two conceptual studies for commercial services to support lower-cost, higher-frequency missions to Mars. These studies will explore how potential commercial services, both cargo delivery and surface imaging, could enable future scientific missions to the Red Planet.
The two studies, one for large cargo delivery and hosting services and another for Martian surface imaging services, will analyze how Astrobotic can adapt its existing spacecraft systems to support more frequent and cost-effective missions to Mars over the next 20 years.
In collaboration with Arizona State University, Astrobotic will complete a study of large load delivery and hosting services that will focus on adapting the company’s Griffin-class lunar lander to deliver payloads to the Red Planet from orbit. On the other hand, the Mars Surface Imaging Services Study, a collaboration between Astrobotic, Arizona State University and Malin Space Science Systems, will focus on electro-optical imaging instrument concepts aimed at mapping the Martian surface.
“Astrobotic’s mission has always been to make space accessible to the world, so these studies towards Mars are a natural step for us,” said John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic. “We will investigate modifying our current lunar capabilities for use on Mars and “We will examine how our systems can further support NASA’s Moon to Mars Strategy.”
“Arizona State University faculty, staff and students are excited to leverage our significant scientific, engineering and operational experience in NASA Mars robotic missions to collaborate with the Astrobotic and Malin Space Science Systems teams on this new study of next-generation commercial imaging services,” said Jim Bell, professor in the ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration, Director of the ASU NewSpace Initiative and leader or deputy leader on camera equipment for the Spirit Mars rovers. , Opportunity, Curiosity and NASA’s Perseverance. “Innovative, lower-cost but scientifically sound cameras and other instruments have the potential to substantially advance the pace of exploration and discovery on the Red Planet.”
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California manages the Mars Exploration Program on behalf of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The 12-week studies are expected to conclude in August and a summary of the study will be released later.
