|
Rovers require larger LV capability to provide detailed investigation of a localized area. Not well suited to dark crater operations at 50 deg K. Travel somewhat limited by sunlight. Needs drill for depth penetration, or EM sounding equipment; may need special robotic sample handling gear.
Soft landed rover systems mature in most areas; RLEP Investigating cryogenic capability upgrades and drilling system
|
Mortar type probes deployed from central lander or descent craft can cover a larger area and perform short lived investigations of dark craters before freezing, using central craft as a data relay. Can use kinetic energy for depth penetration.
Hard landers/penetrators much less mature: RLEP Investigating current military hardened devices which would need different payload accommodations and navigational enhancements.
|
Probes deployed from an orbiting mother ship can cover the globe, live for short times in cold traps, and relay data to the mother ship.
RLEP Investigating propulsion systems available for decent and hard/medium landing systems as well as instrumentation solutions with help of RFIÕs from industry/academia.
|
Sampling probes gather very small samples from many sites and return them to an orbiting lab on the mother ship. Increases lab instrument mass. Labs and probes from different missions can interact. Increased failure robustness. Communicate directly from mother ship. Technically less mature.
RLEP Investigating super micro technologies propulsion system staging, rendezvous and docking. Highly innovative somewhat more risky ultra simple short lived low cost, very small mass solution. Unique custom design not mature at this time.
|
