Astrobiology Field Laboratory

Infobox_Spacecraft
Name = Astrobiology Field Laboratory


Caption = Astrobiology Field Laboratory
Organization = NASA
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Mission_Type = Rover
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Launch = 2016
Launch_Vehicle = Atlas V
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Webpage = [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/futureMissions.html Astrobiology Field Laboratory Summary]
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Orbits = The Astrobiology Field Laboratory (also known as AFL), is a proposed NASA unmanned planetary spacecraft to explore the planet Mars. The rover will be built by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and will be based upon the Mars Science Laboratory design, but with more astrobiology-oriented instruments. Current plans call for a launch around 2016, most likely by an Atlas V rocket.

Mission

Its main objective would be to study and examine the surface and structure of the Martian surface, specifically looking for life and the signs of life. In particular, the rover would be the first mission since the "Viking" landers of the 1970s to look for the chemistry associated with life, such as carbon-carrying compounds along with molecules involving both sulfur and nitrogen. It will target environments identified by the Mars Science Laboratory and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as being conducive to life.

It has been proposed that Astrobiology Field Laboratory use radioisotope thermoelectric generators as its power source, like the ones used on the Mars Science Laboratory. Its primary mission is to last for about one Martian year, or approximately two Earth years, with an extended mission lasting another Martian year.

Planning

This proposed mission has not begun early planning stages or funding yet and the mission may be scaled back in the coming time from a critical mission and engineering review. It is not yet known whether it will ever be launched, due to budgetary technical concerns.

Nevertheless, it is has been proposed, that the AFL could piggyback further missions, like a Mars Deep-drill Lander, or a student -designed payload.

External links

* [http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/futureMissions.html Astrobiology Field Laboratory Summary]
* [http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?MCode=MAFL Mars Astrobiology Field Lab Rover (AFL) Mission Profile] by [http://solarsystem.nasa.gov NASA's Solar System Exploration]

ee also

* Mars
* Exploration of Mars
* Mars Science Laboratory