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Assessment of NASA’s Mars Architecture 2007–2016
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1
1
INTRODUCTION
4
Scientific and Programmatic Background,
4
The Mars Exploration Architecture 2007-2016,
6
Topics Considered by the Committee,
8
Notes,
8
2
NRC STRATEGIES, PRIORITIES, AND GUIDELINES FOR THE EXPLORATION OF MARS
10
The Exploration of Mars in a Solar System Context,
10
Major New Discoveries Since the SSE Decadal Survey Report Was Issued,
11
The Mars Architecture and the SSE Decadal Survey’s Mars Exploration Goals,
12
The Mars Architecture and Related Science Strategies,
18
The Mars Architecture and Other NASA Plans,
20
Response to Question 1,
21
Notes,
22
3
THE GOALS OF NASA’S MARS PROGRAM
24
The Mars Architecture and the Goals of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program,
24
Optimizing the Science Return,
25
Response to Question 2,
31
Notes,
32
4
A BALANCED MISSION PORTFOLIO
33
Scientific Balance,
33
Other Issues of Balance,
35
Response to Question 3,
36
Notes,
36
5
SUMMARY
37
