NASA has reached an impressive milestone that brings us closer to understanding the secrets of the Red Planet. IFLScience reports that they have done successful tests on rockets that will be the first ever to launch from a different planet.
These rockets are an important part of the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV). They are going to be a big deal in the Mars Sample Return mission - a project that aims to uncover how Mars has changed over time and find possible hints of past life.
Bringing Mars Samples to Earth
Scheduled for a launch in June 2028, the Mars Sample Return mission is a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), aiming to bring carefully selected samples from Mars back to Earth for comprehensive study.
The MAV's role is pivotal in this ambitious venture, as it is tasked with launching samples from the Martian surface and positioning them for the journey back home.
The MAV's journey is a complex yet fascinating one. Upon collecting samples from NASA's Perseverance rover, a Sample Transfer Arm will deftly load these precious specimens into a container within the MAV's nose.
Once secured, the MAV will embark on a voyage from Mars, aiming to rendezvous with the Earth Returner Orbiter - a spacecraft meticulously designed for this exact purpose.
Launching from Mars
A critical aspect of the MAV's success lies in its propulsion, facilitated by state-of-the-art solid rocket motors (SRMs) known as SRM1 and SRM2.
These motors were recently put through their paces, undergoing rigorous testing to ensure their functionality and durability in the harsh Martian environment.
One remarkable innovation in this development is the supersonic splitline nozzle - an engineering marvel that has achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6, indicating successful vacuum bench and hot fire testing.
The nozzle's significance cannot be understated. Designed to withstand the extreme cold of Mars, the nozzle marks a significant advancement over conventional rocket nozzles.
The Tests
SRM1's test, conducted in a vacuum chamber cooled to a chilling minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit), demonstrated the nozzle's prowess in handling Mars-like conditions.
Benjamin Davis, MAV Propulsion Manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, expressed optimism: "This test demonstrates our nation has the capacity to develop a launch vehicle that can successfully be lightweight enough to get to Mars and robust enough to put a set of samples into orbit to bring back to Earth. The hardware is telling us that our technology is ready to proceed with development."
The success of the nozzle's testing places it on the brink of becoming a critical component in MAV's journey. As MAV's launch date approaches, further tests will determine its resilience against the vibrations of liftoff, the vacuum of space, and the extreme temperatures it will encounter as it hurtles Mars' samples back to Earth.
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