Mars ascent vehicle key elements of a Mars Sample Return mission

The Mars Sample Return mission is being planned to return samples of Martian rock, soil, and atmosphere to Earth for scientific analysis. A Mars ascent vehicle (MAV) will be brought to the Martian surface within a lander; receive samples delivered by a mobile surface vehicle; and launch the samples into Mars orbit for return to Earth. The MAV is being designed as a two-stage solid-fuel vehicle with a head-end steering capability, packaged within an erectable launch tube for thermal and environmental stability during the various mission phases of cruise to Mars; entry, descent, and landing; surface and pre-launch operations; and launch. Key features of the MAV operations and design are discussed, including the thermal, environmental, and structural requirements and their conceptual design solutions during each phase; concepts for insertion of the orbiting sample into the payload bay inside the launch tube; and pre-launch operations. MAV launch to orbit details will be discussed, and key technology development challenges will be identified.