Mars Pattern Return is a set of three individually launched missions that collectively will obtain the purpose of returning Mars samples to Earth. As soon as launched,, the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) will start a five-year mission to Mars, appearing as a communications relay with the floor missions, performing a rendezvous with the orbiting samples and bringing them safely again to Earth.
With a mass of seven tonnes when it begins its round-trip mission from Earth, the seven-metre-tall spacecraft may have photo voltaic arrays masking 144 sq. metres and spanning greater than 40 metres – among the many largest ever constructed.
For its interplanetary journey, ERO will profit from the autonomous rendezvous and docking capabilities that Airbus has developed over a long time in optical house navigation.
As soon as ERO has captured the metallic ball containing the Martian floor materials in orbit round Mars, the spacecraft will then head again to the neighborhood of Earth the place the samples can be launched restoration.
As prime contractor for ERO underneath the duty of the European House Company, Airbus may have total duty for this orbiter’s mission. The spacecraft’s improvement is centred at Airbus’ Toulouse, France, whereas mission evaluation is carried out on the firm’s UK web site in Stevenage.
