Unified Spacecraft for Planetary Investigations

Abstract

The paper represents the results of researches under new Russian project which means development of new generation unified spacecraft for planetary investigations. The report contains implementation concepts of several scientific missions with use of mid-range launch vehicles family “Soyuz”. The basic of the paper is unified spacecraft bus application for planet Mars and its natural satellites Phobos and Deimos investigation feasibility study. The PHOBOS SAMPLE RETURN and MARS SAMPLE RETURN MISSIONS are mostly detailed in the paper as most important milestones within the projected program. The basic missions and spacecraft design parameters and schemes in respect to mission objectives, transfer features and scientific requirements are presented in the paper. The spacecrafts launch is to be provided by “Soyuz-2” launcher. As well as sample return missions description the paper shows feasibility of the UNIFIED SPACECRAFT to deploy small stations upon Mars surface as well as delivery of flying balloon laboratories into Martian atmosphere or other descent payloads. With objective of the sample return missions reliability increasing it is feasible to test the spacecraft technology, operations and subsystems in frameworks of Lunar missions. The basic objectives of such missions might be whether Lunar Sample Return mission (from any place of the Moon, especially from the back side) or Moon global research penetrators or landing small stations network deployment on the Moon surface including in the region of Lunar south pole. All presented missions are based on unified design essence. The spacecraft bus has high mass-power performances and is developing with taking in account of modern technologies as well as succession of many engineering solutions and experience gained with missions towards Moons and planets. The spacecraft subsystems and units has significant level of autonomy and might be used for spacecrafts of wide application range.