Mars Microspacecraft Missions

Mars Microspacecraft Missions are proposed cheap launch missions costing less than $50 million that can be carried out by the Italian Space Agency to Mars to research Mars, ranging from the use of one spacecraft to multiple constellations of mini spacecraft.

Under a study contract, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) developed the mechanical system concept for a Mars Microspacecraft to launch in a twin configuration on an Ariane V ASAP (Auxiliary Payload). As a member a multi-disciplined team, ASI developed the mechanical configuration and preliminary structure design for the spacecraft in two configurations, a probe carrier and an orbiter. The term microspacecraft was used in a Jet Propulsion Laboratory publication in 1981.

References

{{cite web

|last = Anderson

|first = Nikka

|title = Micro-spacecraft, Instrumentation, & Electronics

|publisher = NASA

|url = http://library.gsfc.nasa.gov/SubjectGuides/Micro.htm

|access-date = 2007-08-30

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071111022746/http://library.gsfc.nasa.gov/SubjectGuides/Micro.htm

|archive-date = 2007-11-11

}}

{{cite report

| last = Burke

| first = J.D.

| title = Micro-spacecraft 15/10/1981

| publisher = JPL Caltech

}}

{{cite journal

| title = The Case for Small Satellites

| journal = Acta Astronautica

| publisher = International Academy of Astronautics

| date = 1993

| volume = 31

| pages = 103–IN4

| doi = 10.1016/0094-5765(93)90149-Q

| bibcode = 1993AcAau..31..103.

}}

{{cite report

| title = Technology for Small Spacecraft

| publisher = Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, National Research Council

| date = 1994

}}

{{cite journal

| title = Affordable Spacecraft: Design and Launch Alternatives, A Background Paper

| journal = Ota-Bp-Isc-60

| publisher = U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment

| date = January 1990

}}

{{cite report

| last = Sarsfield

| first = Liam

| title = Federal Investments in Small Spacecraft

| publisher = RAND

| date = September 1996

}}

{{cite conference

| first1 = A.

| last1 = Mauritz

| first2 = B.

| last2 = Patel

| title = Science-Enabling MicroSpacecraft Constellations for Mars

| book-title = Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration

| pages = 215

| publisher = STI (NASA)

| bibcode = 2000came.work..215M

}}

Category:Hypothetical spacecraft