Nextbigfuture previously looked at the NASA analysis for modifying a Spacex Dragon for landing on Mars. They had determined it was possible to land enough mass and volume with a Red Dragon [modified Dragon] to enable a Mars Sample Return mission in which Mars Orbit Rendezvous is avoided, and the return vehicle comes directly back to Earth. NASA has continued the analysis.

In 2014, Nextbigfuture covered a 2 pager on Mars sample return using a Spacex Dragon.

Mars Sample Return (MSR) is the highest priority science mission for the next decade as recommended by the 2013 Decadal Survey of Planetary Science. There is now a 36 page presentation at the Future In-Space Operations (FISO) Working Group Presentations on a Mars sample return using a modified Spacex Dragon.

* Falcon Heavy places Red Dragon capsule on Trans Mars Injection trajectory.
* Red Dragon is modified to carry required hardware
**Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV)
** ± Earth Return Vehicle (ERV)
** ± Mission support hardware
** ± Arm to transfer a sample from a previous rover mission ( i.e. 2020 rover) to the ERV

* Red Dragon performs lifting trajectory EDL with Supersonic Retro Propulsion EDL paper at this 2014 IEEE Aerospace conference

* Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) launches Earth Return Vehicle (ERV) with sample from the surface to brief Mars phasing orbit.

* Mission can start in preferred 2022 opportunity or as late as 2026

A Mars Sample Return mission in 2022 opportunity that retrieves samples collected by Mars 2020 rover technically feasible with the use of emerging commercial technologies.

SOURCES – NASA, FISO,

Brian Wang

Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.

Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.

A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.