Note: As with the Luna list, after much thought, I decided I shall include in this population any future missions which take place in LEO but are solely dedicated to promoting Mars exploration. Space physics experiments of broad applicability (e.g. radiation measurement, magnetic mapping) are not included for the same reason. Multiple visits to the same body by the same spacecraft (e.g. GEM) do not count as multiple missions (even if they do require multiple visits to Capitol Hill for funding). Multiple visits to different primaries do. A mere gravity assist maneuver without science return doesn't really count as a mission, either - a "flyby" requires at least one instrument to be pointed in the general direction of the celestial body. This was not an accounting issue until a few Big Science missions (e.g. Galileo, Project Vega) flew some very complex trajectories with multiple gravity assists.

Credit goes out to TRW Space Log 1957-1996, The Planetary Report published by The Planetary Society, Proton Mission Planner's Manual, Jonathan's Space Report, and Chris Jones: clj@world.std.com. Many thanks to Marc Rayman at JPL for constructive criticism. A tip o' the dust visor to David Portree DSFPortree@aol.com for his sharp editorial eyes.

Future Missions to Mars:

• Mars Micromissions - USA/ESA 2003+. Streamlined100 kg science missions on direct trajectories to Mars, reentry via airbags, piggybacking on Ariane 5 boosters per space available basis. Possibly six micromissions per year.

• Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter - USA 2005. Heavy orbiter to supplement Global Surveyor database with close looks at 20-30 cm resolution.

• mission name? - France/Euro consortium 2005. Orbiter and 4 "Netlanders".

• Phobos Grunt - Russia circa 2005. Sample return from Phobos. Funded.

• mission name? - Russia when? Mars rover.

• Mobile Science Laboratory - USA 2007.

• Scout-class missions - USA 2007+. Small competitive missions (rovers, landers, fliers).

• Sample return #1 - USA 2011-2014. Lander and rover with 500 gram sample return to Earth. Rendezvous with French orbiter? Delayed and rescoped as result of MPL failure. Prototype in-situ propellant production plant delayed?

• first manned mission to Mars? - 14 January 2014 +/- few days. If a mission like this is going to happen, this is the best window for manned landing attempt having emergency free return (such as Apollo 13 was able to utilize).
  Russia has also proposed a manned mission to Mars by 2020.

• Sample return #2 - USA 2016. Lander and rover with sample return to Earth. Rescoped as result of MPL failure.

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What's Coming to this Page:
A judgement concerning the proper coordinate system for Martian cartography, in case you didn't notice that the map and the text are inconsistent. Your comments are welcome: robot-at-ultimax-dot-com

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