The NetLander geophysical network on the surface of Mars: general mission description and technical design status

Abstract

Simultaneous measurements collected by a network of landers spread over the surface of Mars will provide a unique leap forward in our knowledge of the planet. This is the objective of the NetLander (for Network Lander) project developed by CNES (French Space Agency), FMI (Finnish Meteorological Institute), IfP (Institute für Planetologie – Münster) in cooperation with a number of institutes in Europe and in the United States. The NetLander mission will deploy four identical landers on the surface of Mars. It satisfies many scientific objectives: each lander includes a science payload with instrumentation aimed at studying the interior of Mars, the atmosphere, the sub-surface, as well as the ionospheric structure and the geodesy. The European NetLander mission will be launched in 2007 with the orbiter developed by CNES in the frame of the French Mars exploration programme. After a cruise phase lasting several months, the Netlander probes will be separated from the orbiter and targeted to their landing sites. NetLander has successfully completed a phase A study. Its Entry, Descent and Landing System uses a front-shield, parachutes and air-bags. On the surface of Mars, NetLander will use solar arrays and batteries for its power supply. Particular attention is paid to the definition of this power supply system which should provide enough energy throughout the mission, with a duration objective of one Martian year. Telecommunications will be possible via data relay satellites in orbit around Mars.