Mars Science Laboratory

Once on the ground, the Mars Science Laboratory would analyze dozens of samples scooped up from the soil and cored from rocks as it explores with greater range than any previous Mars rover. It would investigate the past or present ability of Mars to support life. The rover will probably be powered by RTG's as the weight of a solar cell and power storage system would be prohibitive, and a solar cell system would not work very well at low Martian latitudes or in dusty conditions. There has been talk about NASA using Linux to power the rover's onboard computer.

MSL will be set down on the Martian surface using a new NASA high-precision entry, descent, and landing (EDL) system that will place it to within 6 kilometers of an intended target, in contrast to the 150 kilometer error for current landing systems. The EDL system would have an aeroshell with a small trim tab at the base for guidance during the entry phase, which would be followed by deployment of a two-stage parachute system and discard of the aeroshell.

The rover would be on a "pallet" with a retrothruster system. The pallet would have a a laser or radar altimeter, working in conjunction with a mapping system to allow the pallet to select its precise landing area in order to avoid hazards. The pallet would either use airbags or a "crushable" design to permit a safe landing. The MSL lander and rover will be launched by an Atlas V or Delta IV medium class booster.

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