Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher

Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher
Mission typeRover
OperatorNASA
Mission durationOne Earth year (proposed)
Spacecraft properties
Launch mass300 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.

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ Mars Exploration Program Analysis(July 9, 2009)
  3. ^ Mars Astrobiology Explorer-Cacher (MAX-C): A Potential Rover Mission for 2018 Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine (September 15, 2009)
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Strategic Technology Development for Future Mars Missions (2013-2022) Archived 2010-05-28 at the Wayback Machine (PDF) 15 September 2009