Chinese Mars Mission

[Dalhousie]

A one-third scale model according to gbtimes
http://gbtimes.com/china/chinas-2020-mars-probe-unveiled

Thanks!

Eyeball scaling suggests a heat shield diameter of about 3 m, which as suggested is Viking sized.  MER/Pathfinder/Phoenix were 2.65 m

[plutogno]

I have been reading this paper from this year's IAC
http://www.iafastro.net/iac/paper/id/31372/summary/
it confirms that the 2020 mission will include an orbiter and entry module carrying a MER-class rover, The stack will be launched by a CZ-5 and reach Mars 10 months later. The orbiter will enter a 600 x 100,000 km orbit, while the rover will use aerodynamic braking, parachutes and thrusters to land.
The stack will mass 2,350 kg at launch including a 110 kg payload. The rover should weigh about 300 kg.
In 2028 or 2031 China will then launch a sample return mission reusing CE-5 technology and including a 2,500 kg lander and ascent vehicle and a 5,000 kg orbiter and "returner", carrying a CE-5-like subscale Shenzhou reentry capsule.

[Phillip Clark]

In 2028 or 2031 China will then launch a sample return mission reusing CE-5 technology and including a 2,500 kg lander and ascent vehicle and a 5,000 kg orbiter and "returner", carrying a CE-5-like subscale Shenzhou reentry capsule.

This could confirm earlier speculation that the over-complex Cheng-E 5 mission profile is a dummy-run for a mars sample-return mission.

[redliox]

So China's stepping up its space game. If so it'll be interesting to see what exactly they land on Mars. I'd say that'd be judge of their space capability.

[Dalhousie]

In 2028 or 2031 China will then launch a sample return mission reusing CE-5 technology and including a 2,500 kg lander and ascent vehicle and a 5,000 kg orbiter and "returner", carrying a CE-5-like subscale Shenzhou reentry capsule.

This could confirm earlier speculation that the over-complex Cheng-E 5 mission profile is a dummy-run for a mars sample-return mission.

Rather than seeing CE-5 as "over complex" it is probably more helpful to see it as a highly capable lunar sample return mission that also builds capability for Mars sample return.

[Steven Pietrobon]

In 2028 or 2031 China will then launch a sample return mission reusing CE-5 technology and including a 2,500 kg lander and ascent vehicle and a 5,000 kg orbiter and "returner", carrying a CE-5-like subscale Shenzhou reentry capsule.

That's 7.5 t to Mars, over three times that of the first mission. I'm wondering if this is going to be launched on a new large launch vehicle, or will Earth orbit rendezvous be used.

[plutogno]

I'm wondering if this is going to be launched on a new large launch vehicle, or will Earth orbit rendezvous be used.

I think it will be launched in two separate launches. there is no need to launch it in one piece

[Dalhousie]

In 2028 or 2031 China will then launch a sample return mission reusing CE-5 technology and including a 2,500 kg lander and ascent vehicle and a 5,000 kg orbiter and "returner", carrying a CE-5-like subscale Shenzhou reentry capsule.

That's 7.5 t to Mars, over three times that of the first mission. I'm wondering if this is going to be launched on a new large launch vehicle, or will Earth orbit rendezvous be used.

LM-5 should be able to launch it in one piece

[Phillip Clark]

In 2028 or 2031 China will then launch a sample return mission reusing CE-5 technology and including a 2,500 kg lander and ascent vehicle and a 5,000 kg orbiter and "returner", carrying a CE-5-like subscale Shenzhou reentry capsule.

That's 7.5 t to Mars, over three times that of the first mission. I'm wondering if this is going to be launched on a new large launch vehicle, or will Earth orbit rendezvous be used.

LM-5 should be able to launch it in one piece

The delta-vs for a Mars sample return are much larger than for the lunar mission, thus the heavier launch mass.

[baldusi]

The delta-vs for a Mars sample return are much larger than for the lunar mission, thus the heavier launch mass.

TLI is around -1.8kmē/sē and TMI is 13kmē/sē for a good window (15 bad on). A Delta IV Heavy loses 25% of performance, an Atlas V 401 loses 30% and a Falcon 9 loses 40% (the kerolox upper stage is not optimal for high energy). I would expect something 33% or so for the LM-5B. Since GTO (1,500m/s) is not that different, and the LM-5B does 14tonnes to GTO, some 9 tonnes to TMI would not be impossible. And 7.5 tonnes to TMI would seem possible with margin (I would guess 8 to 8.5 to TMI).

[plutogno]

the paper says:

theCZ-5 launch vehicle can launch Mars exploration payload about 5000kg

[baldusi]

the paper says:

theCZ-5 launch vehicle can launch Mars exploration payload about 5000kg

Could you help me find the paper? I find 5 tonnes to TMI too low if the 14 tonnes to GTO are to be believed. It is difficult to measure with respect to LEO since that uses the LM-5A without the hydrogen third stage.

[Dalhousie]

the paper says:

theCZ-5 launch vehicle can launch Mars exploration payload about 5000kg

If they used LOX-Kerosene for the upper stage then yes, but the LM-5 will have a LOX-LH2 upper stage for GTO missions.  I don't know any reason to suggest they would revert to LOX-Kerosene for planetary missions.  Especially as all four missions to date in the Chang'e program have used LOX-LH2 upper stages.

[Lsquirrel]

the paper says:

theCZ-5 launch vehicle can launch Mars exploration payload about 5000kg

Could you help me find the paper? I find 5 tonnes to TMI too low if the 14 tonnes to GTO are to be believed. It is difficult to measure with respect to LEO since that uses the LM-5A without the hydrogen third stage.

the papers:
but it isn't official, the writers are from NUAA, not CALT or CAST

[Dalhousie]

"China is racing to make the 2020 launch window to Mars"

http://gbtimes.com/china/china-racing-make-2020-launch-window-mars

Orbiter appears to carry a MARSIS-type radar for ionospheric and crustal studies, radiation detectors, and spectrometers optimised for methane.

The rover will carry a Yutu-like GPR, and radiation detectors and possibly international instruments

[plutogno]

China's aim to explore Mars
http://app.icrosschina.com/?app=article&controller=article&action=show&contentid=24935

[Infinitesky]

This is a new design(2016) for the first Mars exploration mission in China, unfortunately, the new video is not yet open to the public.
You can see the difference between the new design and the old one.



old design(2014):

















Video links for the old design(2014):
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XODI0OTQ1NDY0.html
(In the end of this video)

[Star One]

That's quite a radical overhaul in design over just two years.

[Infinitesky]

That's quite a radical overhaul in design over just two years.

At first, Mars mission was not approved until a few days ago.
So in the early pre-research, change is normal (I think the rover just looks like be amplified).
The new design film was shown to the government on 19th January and named as "Explore&Start".
After that, it was officially confirmed during the two sessions（NPC &CPPCC）.

[plutogno]

apparently there are also two competing designs, one from SAST and one from CAST. rumors say that the CAST proposal was the winning one