Astrobiology Field Laboratory

Astrobiology Field Laboratory
Astrobiology Field Laboratory
Mission typeAstrobiology rover
OperatorNASA
Websiteat jpl.nasa.gov (recovered from archive)
Mission duration1 Martian year (proposed)
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass450 kg (990 lb) maximum
Start of mission
Launch date2016 (proposed)

The Astrobiology Field Laboratory (AFL) (also Mars Astrobiology Field Laboratory or MAFL) was a proposed NASA rover that would have conducted a search for life on Mars.[1][2] This proposed mission, which was not funded, would have landed a rover on Mars in 2016 and explore a site for habitat. Examples of such sites are an active or extinct hydrothermal deposit, a dry lake or a specific polar site.[3]

Had it been funded, the rover was to be built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, based upon the Mars Science Laboratory rover design, it would have carried astrobiology-oriented instruments, and ideally, a core drill. The original plans called for a launch in 2016,[4] however, budgetary constraints caused funding cuts.[5][6]

  1. ^ Beegle, Luther W.; et al. (August 2007). "A Concept for NASA's Mars 2016 Astrobiology Field Laboratory". Astrobiology. 7 (4): 545–577. Bibcode:2007AsBio...7..545B. doi:10.1089/ast.2007.0153. PMID 17723090.
  2. ^ "Missions to Mars". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA. February 18, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  3. ^ Steele, A., Beaty; et al. (September 26, 2006). "Final report of the MEPAG Astrobiology Field Laboratory Science Steering Group (AFL-SSG)" (.doc). In David Beaty (ed.). The Astrobiology Field Laboratory. U.S.A.: the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) - NASA. p. 72. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  4. ^ "Mars Astrobiology Field Laboratory and the Search for Signs of Life". Mars Today. September 1, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  5. ^ Leonard, Tom (July 6, 2009). "NASA experts scale back moon and Mars plans in face of Obama funding cut fears". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  6. ^ "Set sights on Mars, moon pioneers urge". Mars Daily. July 20, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2023.