tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post4857519205926627094..comments2024-01-03T20:28:17.727-08:00Comments on Future Planetary Exploration: Mars Sample Return and Cumulative RiskVan Kanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-15504612777915797882011-03-07T09:50:16.724-08:002011-03-07T09:50:16.724-08:00The total cost for the three Mars sample return co...The total cost for the three Mars sample return components would be 10G$ or more, not 6G$. In the current budget climate that will probably kill any other flagship mission, including the compromised Europa mission. Unfortunately, the cheapest and potentially most interesting mission, an Enceladus flyby with sampling, is not likely to beat out the more politically entrenched Mars and Europa missions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-15151168254741690292010-02-28T12:28:30.289-08:002010-02-28T12:28:30.289-08:00It should have read:
Right now, it appears that i...It should have read:<br /><br />Right now, it appears that if the Mars program is funded at current levels, then JEO could be afforded only if other programs such as the lunar program and either the New Frontiers or Discovery programs are eliminated or reduced. (The lunar funds plus the funding for either program or half of both would be in the right ballpark.)<br /><br />The Decadal Survey has a March 2011 deadline for the final recommendations. I think the panels (Mars, outer planets, etc.) complete their reports this spring. I'm not sure when the draft complete report is due. Late Fall?Van Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-9494419815767825792010-02-28T05:34:19.364-08:002010-02-28T05:34:19.364-08:00vk:
"...Right now, it appears that if the ...vk:<br /><br /> "...Right now, it appears that if the Mars program is funded at current levels, then JEO could be afforded only if other programs such as the lunar program and either the New Frontiers or Discovery program."<br /><br />Is there a phrase missing at the end of the sentence above? <br /><br /> "...There are going to be some tough choices to be made. Too many really high priority missions and a budget that is only about half of what it was a few years ago..."<br /><br />Do you know when the Decadel Survey intends to make their final selections public? I for one will be anxiously waiting for the results!Al Schmittnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-57081220472328271512010-02-27T12:53:10.716-08:002010-02-27T12:53:10.716-08:00Having the 2011 MSL cache samples was looked at. ...Having the 2011 MSL cache samples was looked at. Part of the issue, if I recall correctly, was that the caching mechanisms done right are not simple. Another issue was that MSL's drill powders the sample, while you want samples returned to Earth to be solid cores so that you can reconstruct the stratigraphic relationships. The idea was dropped after a review panel concluded that it wasn't worth the effort. If it had been part of the plan from the beginning, it might have been reasonable.<br /><br />The impact of MSR on other programs depends on when each element is flown and how much other space agencies contribute. Right now, it appears that if the Mars program is funded at current levels, then JEO could be afforded only if other programs such as the lunar program and either the New Frontiers or Discovery program. An Enceladus mission could be afforded only if an additional program was raided (whichever of New Frontiers or Discovery that hadn't already been used for JEO) or reducing the Mars program<br /><br />There are going to be some tough choices to be made. Too many really high priority missions and a budget that is only about half of what it was a few years ago.Van Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227978868817989527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270899075443508100.post-7832181459248251092010-02-27T11:00:05.585-08:002010-02-27T11:00:05.585-08:00I have a couple of comments:
1. Why can't the...I have a couple of comments:<br /><br />1. Why can't the 2011 MSL mission cache the samples? It has a large rover that technically should be able to do the job. That way some of the risk and cost associated with MSR could be mitigated.<br /><br />2. With a cost of $6-7 billion, would MSR compromise the proposed JEO and Enceladus outer planet missions? I consider those two missions to be of high scientific value, even more so than MSR. Any negative impact on those missions would be unwise, IMO.Al Schmittnoreply@blogger.com