 | |
| Mission type | Rover |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | One Earth year (proposed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 300 kg (660 lb) |
The Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C), also known as Mars 2018 mission, was a NASA concept for a Mars rover mission, proposed to be launched in 2018 together with the European ExoMars rover.[1][2][3] The MAX-C rover concept was cancelled in April 2011 due to budget cuts.[4][5]
The rover would have been solar powered, with a maximum mass of 300 kg and based largely on the Curiosity rover components, but would have entailed a system tailored to the specific payload. The MAX-C rover would have performed an in-situ astrobiological exploration, evaluate the habitability potential of various Martian environments, and it would have collected, documented, and cached samples for potential return to Earth by a future mission.[6]
The Mars 2020 mission with its Perseverance rover had similar scientific objectives as Mars 2018 and MAX-C.
- ^ McLennan, Scott (September 10, 2009), "Proposed 2018 Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C) Mission" (PDF), Proposal of the MEPAG Mid-Range Rover Science Analysis Group (MRR-SAG), NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- ^ Mars Exploration Program Analysis(July 9, 2009)
- ^ Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C): A Potential Rover Mission for 2018 Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine (September 15, 2009)
- ^ de Selding, Peter B. (20 April 2011). "ESA Halts Work on ExoMars Orbiter and Rover". Space News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ^ Svitak, Amy (18 April 2011). "U.S., Europe Plan Single-rover Mars Mission for 2018". Space News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved 2011-04-21.
- ^ Strategic Technology Development for Future Mars Missions (2013-2022) Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine (PDF) 15 September 2009