CubeSats to support Mars exploration: Three scenarios for valuable planetary science missions

Abstract

Planetary science originally tended to rely on “flagship” missions characterized by large satellites and expensive resources. Interplanetary CubeSat missions represent a radical new approach enabling high quality and impact science to be achieved with ultra-small and low-cost nanosatellites. Launched as second-class payloads, deployed in swarm-like or constellation configurations, they offer spatially distributed measurements and temporal resolution not achievable by single-monolithic-satellite platforms. Reduced development times, standardization of components and deployment systems, platform modularity have been drivers to the growth of CubeSats’ launches in Earth orbit in the last decade. Constraints in size, volume and available power on-board, still limit their capabilities for independent planetary exploration. Propulsion, communications, radiation environment protection are top three technological areas to empower for this class of small satellite to support science objectives in the near future. A set of scientific objectives for CubeSats to serve astrobiology goals and support to future human exploration on Mars was selected to the purpose of this work. Missions to accomplish orbital and atmospheric measurement, in situ analyses related to biosignatures detection and environmental characterization have been explored. Three set of mission architectures based on surface penetrators, atmosphere scouts and orbiting fleet, have been assessed in the perspective of the science return value. Mission concepts provided metrics and design options to address the stakeholders’ needs and strategic knowledge gaps, as defined by the NASA Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group’s definition of top-level required investigations.