PRIME: Phobos Reconnaissance & International Mars Exploration Mission
Monday, May 14th, 2007
Recently, the Canadian Space Agency announced the funding of five teams to develop concept and feasibility studies for Mars mission proposals. One of the selected proposals was for a robotic mission to Mars’ moon, Phobos and was put forward by Canadian aerospace company Optech with the science side of the mission being led by the Mars Institute (of which I am a member of the Board of Advisors). The proposed Phobos Reconnaissance & International Mars Exploration (PRIME) mission would rendezvous, study and land on Phobos, one of the solar system’s most mysterious objects. Such a mission would aim to answer many questions about the origin, composition and structure of Phobos and also provide insights into the origin and evolution of Mars and the solar system.
Back in 2005 I worked with Dr Pascal Lee (who is the Principal Invesitgator for PRIME) at the SETI Institute in California. While there I conducted a review of proposals for human and robotic exploration of Phobos. Subsequently I am particpating in the PRIME study as a member of the Science Support Team which is pretty exciting. This role is a great opportunity for me to interact with planetary scientists and aerospace engineers from all over the world and experience how real space mission proposals work first hand.
More information can be found at the following places…
Canadian Mission Concept to Mysterious Mars moon Phobos to Feature Unique Rock-Dock Maneuver - Optech Press Release
Canadians Teaming Up to Develop Mars Mission Concepts - CSA Press Release
Mars Mission Concept Proposals Receive Funding - CSA Background Information
PRIME Mission Poster - Mars Institute (PDF ~ 70KB) - You may spot my name on there amongst the authors.
I also get a mention on the front of Mars Society Australia’s website.
We are very excited and looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together.