Mars Sample Return spacecraft systems architecture

The Mars Sample Return mission plans to collect sets of samples from two different sites on Mars and return them to Earth in 2008. The mission consists of 15 different vehicles and spacecraft plus two launch vehicles, with elements being provided by the U.S., France, and Italy. These vehicles include two U.S. provided Landers, each with a sample collection Rover, Mars Ascent Vehicle, and an Orbiting Sample satellite. France is providing the sample return Orbiter which carries a U.S. payload for sample detection and capture plus two Earth Entry Vehicles for landing the samples on Earth. The Orbiter also delivers four NetLanders to Mars for performing unique surface science. Significant in-situ science is included. New technologies are being developed to aerocapture into Mars orbit, to collect and safeguard the samples, to launch the samples into Mars orbit, and to enable autonomous Mars orbit rendezvous and capture for return to Earth.