Amateur Mars Satellite

Hobbyspacer writes "The German AMSAT-DL group recently announced formal approval of the Phase 5-A project to send a spacecraft to Mars in the 2007 or 2009 launch window. The spacecraft will use the same structure as AO-40 (formerly Phase 3-D) that was launched into earth orbit in the fall of 2000. Like AO-40 the Mars probe will piggyback on an Ariane 5 launch and use the same 400 N propulsion system. (I expect they will solve the problem that caused the engine misfiring that nearly destroyed the spacecraft.) The Phase 3-E project was also approved to follow up AO-40 and to test various techniques and technologies for the Mars mission. The document P5A-to-Mars!(712k pdf) describes the technical challenges and possible solutions for such an ambitious mission. AO-40 cost several million dollars and the Mars probe should cost considerably more, requiring they obtain funds outside of AMSAT members and the ham radio community. The long list, though, of spectacular contributions made by AMSAT to the development of micro sats and space communications gives the program high credibility."

Comments

A big leap?

[Devil's BSD]

I think this is kind of a big leap from just a amateur rocket in space earlier this year. What happened to an actual geosynchronous satelite, a lunar probe, or even an amateur manned space shot? I think they should plan these first before they leap into such a project.

Contamination and porly funded projects

[Speedy8]

While all of these projects are cool, I wonder if the cheaper projects will have problems with lower standards of cleanliness and lead to contamination of Mars, possibly leading to the destruction of any curent life on Mars. After all Scientists have found that there was contamination on the first lunar lander that touched down on the Moon on 1967.

Re:Contamination and porly funded projects

[Speedy8]

There are likely no common species between Earth and Mars, so even if the probe is contaminated by any terrestrial bacteria/diseases, they will not be designed to infect or otherwise compromise Martian species. I think you are limiting the scope of the analogy a little too far. The bacteria and disease was able to kill off the common species becase they have a similar envrnments to live in, the human host. While Martian environment is differant to most of Earth, it does have simularities to many places on Earth and we have many single cell organisms that thrive in the conditions simular to that on Mars and may, very easily drowned out the current populations.

Re:Ariane 5?

[Anonymous Coward]

It is not a French launcher, it's a European Launcher. 30% of the parts are coming France and 30% from Germany.

Circle around the pole

[BlowCat]

Have you considered the fact that "the roving prison" doesn't have to be on the equator? You should be ashamed :-)