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cIclops

Member

Registered: 2005-06-16

Posts: 3,230

Re: Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL)

A Concept for NASA's Mars 2016 Astrobiology Field Laboratory (PDF)

In the current version of the Mars Program Plan, the Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL) exists as a candidate project to determine whether there were (or are) habitable zones and life, and how the development of these zones may be related to the overall evolution of the planet. The AFL concept is a surface exploration mission equipped with a major in situ laboratory capable of making significant advancements toward the Mars Program’s life-related scientific goals and the overarching Vision for Space Exploration. We have developed several concepts for the AFL that fit within known budget and engineering constraints projected for the 2016 and 2018 Mars mission launch opportunities. The AFL mission architecture proposed here assumes maximum heritage from the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). Candidate payload elements for this concept were identified from a set of recommendations put forth by the Astrobiology Field Laboratory Science Steering Group (AFL SSG) in 2004, for the express purpose of identifying overall rover mass and power requirements for such a mission. The conceptual payload includes a Precision Sample Handling and Processing System that would replace and augment the functionality and capabilities provided by the Sample Acquisition Sample Processing and Handling system that is currently part of the 2009 MSL platform.

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SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 28,961

Re: Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL)

What I found odd was the launch year changing from odd years to even for this launch.

Orbital mechanics I assume but where can I find the means to show me how this change occurs?

noosfractal

Member

From: Biosphere 1

Registered: 2005-10-04

Posts: 824

Website

Re: Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL)

Mars' synodic period is 2 years and 7 weeks.  Eventually that "and 7 weeks" will push you from odd years to even years and back again.

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cIclops

Member

Registered: 2005-06-16

Posts: 3,230

Re: Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL)

Yep, eventually those extra 7 weeks add up  

There's also the question of whether the mission is named for the launch year or arrival year. Table 4 of the paper shows the earliest launch date as 29 Dec 2015 with the last one 17 Jan 2016 - so it could end up being the 2015 Mission after all.

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