Mars Science Laboratory focused technology program overview

The Mars Technology Program (MTP) is part of the NASA Mars Exploration Program (MEP). The purpose of MTP is to develop technologies needed for future Mars missions, including Mars Scouts. The two principle program elements of MTP are the focused technology and the base technology programs. The focused technology program addresses technologies that are specific and critical to near-term missions, while the base technology program addresses those technologies that are applicable for multiple missions and which can be characterized as longer term, higher risk, and high payoff technologies. This paper describes the MTP focused technology program for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission outlining the mission's technical and project challenges including infusion of time-critical technology deliverables, and the process, procedures, tools and people involved in meeting those challenges. Critical technologies for this mission are: entry, descent, and landing system, Mars lander engine, long-life, extreme environment actuators, sample acquisition/sample processing and handling system, advanced rover technologies, mobility technologies, and integrated simulation tool.