Mars 2022

[fredinno]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_2022\

http://spacenews.com/nasa-eyes-new-mars-orbiter-for-2022/

Quote

The Mars 2022 orbiter is a concept study by NASA to develop a Mars communications satellite with a modest mapping capability payload, and propelled by a solar electric ion thruster.^[1][2]

The orbiter is proposed to be launched in September 2022 to link ground controllers with rovers and landers and extend mapping capabilities expected to be lost when the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and 2001 Mars Odyssey stop functioning.^[1]

Quote

Concern in NASA is that the currently used relay satellites, 2001 Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, may stop functioning, resulting in the need to press the MAVEN science orbiter into use as a backup telecommunications relay.^[1][2][5] However, the highly elliptical orbit of MAVEN will limit its usefulness as a relay for surface operations.^[6][7]

This probe will also improve mapping capabilities and telecommunications at mars. Let's hope this becomes a reality.

[Mitchz95]

I like it. We get to test SEP for a Mars mission, and get a brand new communication satellite that can be used for future missions as well as current ones.

[ChrisSpace]

Probably won't happen.

[Mitchz95]

Why not? It seems like a pretty reasonable mission to me.