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NASA's Ames Research Centre has developed a draft proposal for a mission that would call up soil samples from Mars and deliver them back to Earth. It's ambitious to be sure, but NASA scientists are optimistic about the then-called "Cerise Dragon" proposal, so named considering it would rely on a modified version of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Co-ordinate to the squad, this mission could be feasible in the early 2022s, but in time for NASA'due south side by side Mars rover mission.

Repurposing near-Earth spacecraft for longer voyages is ordinarily a bad thought that never gets past the initial blueprint stages. However, SpaceX designed the Dragon sheathing to be highly adaptable. Afterward all, the manned Dragon is essentially the same vessel that'south already in performance as an automated cargo transport.

CEO Elon Musk says the Falcon 9 Heavy is powerful enough to take the fully loaded Dragon to Mars, provided it is not needed for the return trip. A lighter payload could get in all the way to Jupiter. He and SpaceX were non involved in the design of the Ruby-red Dragon mission, but Musk has since come up out in favor of the basic idea, noting that the Dragon vehicle is designed to land on any surface in the solar system.

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Landing on the surface of Mars becomes an increasingly catchy trouble equally you increase in mass. The atmosphere is too sparse for parachutes to do all the work, and delicate components don't take kindly to difficult impacts. The ane-ton Curiosity rover was landed with the assist of a rocket sled, but the Red Dragon would have a 2-ton payload at to the lowest degree. Ames scientists recall the Red Dragon can set down without whatsoever parachutes, using only the Super Draco engines that are beingness developed for the emergency abort arrangement on manned Dragon capsules. This would let Reddish Dragon to rendezvous with the planned 2022 NASA Mars rover, which will have already nerveless soil samples for the return mission.

It would exist inefficient to try and lift the whole dragon capsule back off the Martian surface, so instead it would behave a minor Mars ascent vehicle that would launch into orbit. The lower gravity and thinner atmosphere on Mars make it easier to reach orbit. This craft would line up for an Globe encounter, then release a smaller Globe return vehicle with the samples on board. Once it's in low-Earth orbit, a 2nd Dragon capsule will be sent up to retrieve it.

Getting samples of Martian soil dorsum to Earth would be the best way to learn well-nigh the history and composition of Mars. In that location'south just and then much a rover tin can do from millions of miles away, and if scientists come up with a new idea for a test, they have to look for the next mission. Having fresh samples would accelerate things greatly. Perchance nosotros'd finally be able to effigy out if Mars has ever supported life.