Browse and search white papers and mission & technology studies received by the Planetary Science Decadal Survey. Click here for basic user instructions.

Total results: 31

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Authors	Title	Summary	Panel Selection	Institution	Download/ Details
Phil Christensen	MSR Lander Mission	The Mars Sample Return (MSR) concept is a campaign of three missions: a sample acquisition/caching rover mission, a lander mission to fetch the cache and deliver it to Mars orbit via a rocket, and an orbiter mission that would capture the orbiting sample (OS) container and deliver it to Earth via an Earth Entry Vehicle (EEV). A fourth component is the Mars Returned Sample Handling (MRSH) element that would include a sample receiving facility (SRF) and a curation facility.	Mars	Arizona State University	Download File More Details
Phil Christensen	MSR Orbiter Mission (Including Mars Returned Sample Handling)	The Mars Sample Return (MSR) concept is a campaign of three missions: a sample acquisition/caching rover mission, a lander mission to fetch the cache and deliver it to Mars orbit via a rocket, and an orbiter that would capture the orbiting sample (OS) container and deliver it to Earth via an Earth entry vehicle (EEV). A fourth component is the Mars Returned Sample Handling (MRSH) element that would include a sample receiving facility (SRF) and a curation facility.	Mars	Arizona State University	Download File More Details
John Casani	Small Fission Power System Feasibility Study Final Report	In early March 2010, the Decadal Survey Giant Planets Panel (GPP) requested a short-turnaround study to evaluate the feasibility of a small fission power system (FPS) for future unspecified National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) science missions. FPS technology was considered a potential option for power levels that might not be achievable with radioisotope power systems. A study plan was generated, and a joint NASA/Department of Energy (DOE) study team was formed.	Giant Planets	Jet Propulsion Laboratory	Download File More Details
Wendy Calvin	Mars Polar Climate Concepts	Architectural survey study sessions were conducted to explore the degree to which science objectives, related to the study of the Martian climate via the record preserved in the polar-layered deposits, could be pursued by small (Discovery-class) to moderate (New Frontier''s class) missions.	Mars	University of Nevada, Reno	Download File More Details
Marc Buie Co-Author: Joe Veverka	Chiron Orbiter Mission	The National Research Council''s Planetary Science Decadal Survey: Primitive Bodies Panel has commissioned NASA''s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) with a rapid architecture study conducted under NASA Headquarters leadership. The purpose of the study is to determine whether a mission to orbit the Centaur Object Chiron can be achieved within a New Frontiers cost range with a limited supply of Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generators (ASRGs).	Primitive Bodies	Southwest Research Institute Cornell University	Download File More Details
Mike Brown	Trojan Tour Decadal Study	The purpose of this study was to define a preferred concept approach along with the risk/cost trade space for a Trojan Tour Mission launched in the 2019-2023 time frame and targeted to be within the New Frontiers mission class envelope of less than $900M in FY15 dollars. The study was conducted by a team led by Mike Brown with members of the Primitive Bodies Panel working with the JHU/APL Space Department as the design center.	Primitive Bodies	California Institute of Technology	Download File More Details
Bobby Braun	Mars 2018 Sky Crane Capabilities Study	The purpose of the Mars 2018 Sky Crane Capabilities Study was to "explore the full range of science capabilities that could be delivered to the surface of Mars in 2018 by an MSL-derived Sky Crane EDL system". NASA commissioned the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to perform this study. The Planetary Science Decadal Survey Mars Panel was particularly interested in the following science pathways: a surface field geology/astrobiology pathway, a subsurface geology/astrobiology pathway and a network science pathway.	Mars	Georgia Tech	Download File More Details
Reta Beebe	Saturn Atmospheric Entry Probe Trade Study	This study found it might be possible to implement a Saturn probe mission in which a flyby carrier-relay spacecraft (CRSC) would deliver a single probe within the resource constraints of NASA''s New Frontiers Program. Achievement of this goal would require a small and focused set of science objectives.	Giant Planets	New Mexico State University	Download File More Details
Reta Beebe	Saturn Atmospheric Entry Probe Mission Study	The science objectives of the Saturn Atmospheric Probe Mission Study are divided into two groups:"Tier 1," the science floor objectives that would need to be addressed to make the mission worthwhile, and "Tier 2," the next highest priority level, with objectives that prospective Principal Investigators could reasonably add, given sufficient resources.	Giant Planets	New Mexico State University	Download File More Details
Erik Asphaug	Near Earth Asteroid Trajectory Opportunities in 2020–2024	Near Earth objects (NEOs) are attractive targets for spacecraft missions with the purpose of obtaining greater insight to the nature of the original bodies from which the terrestrial planets formed, without having to visit the Main Belt itself. Greater knowledge of NEOs directly sheds light on the origin and evolution of the asteroid belt, the formation of planets, and the history of the solar system.	Primitive Bodies	University of California, Santa Cruz	Download File More Details
Raymond Arvidson	Mars 2018 MAX-C Caching Rover	The proposed 2018 Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C) caching rover would be a NASA-built mid-class rover that would be the first component in a Mars sample return campaign strategy. NASA is projecting to launch the proposed MAX-C rover with the European Space Agency''s (ESA''s) ExoMars mission on a U.S.-provided launch vehicle in mid 2018; the entry, descent, and landing systems would use the "Sky Crane" approach developed for Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) to land a pallet with both rovers secured onboard onto the surface of Mars.	Mars	Washington University School of Medicine	Download File More Details

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These documents have been prepared in coordination with the National Academies of Science in support of the National Academies Planetary Science Decadal Survey. These documents are being made available for information purposes only, and any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of NASA, JPL, or the California Institute of Technology.