JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

Mars Ascent Vehicle Launching with Samples (Artist's Concept)

Feb 10, 2020
This illustration shows a concept of how the NASA Mars Ascent Vehicle could be launched from the surface of Mars in one step of the Mars sample return mission.

This illustration shows a concept of how the NASA Mars Ascent Vehicle, carrying tubes containing rock and soil samples, could be launched from the surface of Mars in one step of the Mars sample return mission.

NASA and the European Space Agency are solidifying concepts for a Mars sample return mission after NASA's Mars 2020 rover collects rock and soil samples and stores them in sealed tubes on the planet's surface for potential future return to Earth.

NASA will deliver a Mars lander in the vicinity of Jezero Crater, where Mars 2020 will have collected and cached samples. The lander will carry the ascent vehicle along with an ESA Sample Fetch Rover that is roughly the size of NASA's Opportunity Mars rover. The fetch rover will gather the cached samples and carry them back to the lander for transfer to the ascent vehicle; additional samples could be delivered directly by Mars 2020. The ascent vehicle will then launch from the surface and deploy a special container holding the samples into Mars orbit.

ESA will put a spacecraft in orbit around Mars before the ascent vehicle launches. This spacecraft will rendezvous with and capture the orbiting samples before returning them to Earth. NASA will provide the payload module for the orbiter.

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
  • Mars Sample Return
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech

Keep Exploring

Mars Sample Return Orbiting Sample Container Concept Model

Mars Sample Return Lander With Solar Panels Deployed (Artist's Concept)

Mars Ascent Vehicle Deploying Sample Container in Orbit (Artist's Concept)

Robotic Arm Transferring Tubes From Fetch Rover to Lander (Artist's Concept)

Mars Sample Return Lander Touchdown (Artist's Concept)

Fetch Rover Approaching Sample Tubes (Artist's Concept)

Martian Samples Leaving Mars (Artist's Concept)

Mars Sample Return Spacecraft Before Arrival (Artist's Concept)

Special Delivery from Mars to Earth (Artist's Concept)

Landing on Mars for a Short Stay (Artist's Concept)

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors of JPL
JPL History
Documentary Series
Virtual Tour
Annual Reports
Missions
All
Current
Past
Future
News
All
Earth
Mars
Solar System
Universe
Technology
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Infographics
Visions of the Future
Slice of History
Engage
JPL and the Community
Lecture Series
Public Tours
Events
Team Competitions
JPL Speakers Bureau
Topics
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Stars and Galaxies
Exoplanets
Technology
JPL Life
For Media
Contacts and Information
Press Kits
More
Asteroid Watch
Robotics at JPL
Subscribe to Newsletter
Universe Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Manager: Veronica McGregor
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Randal Jackson, Naomi Hartono