Mars Sample Return Campaign Concept Status

This paper will provide an overview of current options and specific concepts for a potential Mars Sample Return(MSR) architecture being jointly studied by NASA and ESA. Overall objectives and mission options will bedescribed, including the architecture's constraints and notional timelines. The paper will highlight architectureleveltrade studies, including specific elements and their status. The overall Sample Retrieval Lander (SRL)mission concept, including vehicle options will be described, including the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), SampleFetch Rover (being studied by ESA), Orbiting Sample container (OS), and tube transfer robotics systems. Theconcept and status of the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) mission, being studied by ESA, and the Capture/Containment and Return System (CCRS) which would be the payload on the ERO, will be discussed.The information provided about possible Mars sample return architectures and concepts is for planning anddiscussion purposes only. NASA and ESA have made no official decisions to implement Mars Sample Return.