Mars Microspacecraft Missions

{{No footnotes|date=June 2016}} '''Mars Microspacecraft Missions''' are proposed cheap launch missions costing less than $50 million that can be carried out by the Italian Space Agency to Mars to research Mars, ranging from the use of one spacecraft to multiple constellations of mini spacecraft.

Under a study contract, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) developed the mechanical system concept for a Mars Microspacecraft to launch in a twin configuration on an Ariane V ASAP (Auxiliary Payload). As a member a multi-disciplined team, ASI developed the mechanical configuration and preliminary structure design for the spacecraft in two configurations, a probe carrier and an orbiter. The term microspacecraft was used in a Jet Propulsion Laboratory publication in 1981.

==References== {{cite web |last = Anderson |first = Nikka |title = Micro-spacecraft, Instrumentation, & Electronics |publisher = NASA |url = http://library.gsfc.nasa.gov/SubjectGuides/Micro.htm |access-date = 2007-08-30 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071111022746/http://library.gsfc.nasa.gov/SubjectGuides/Micro.htm |archive-date = 2007-11-11 }}

{{cite report | last = Burke | first = J.D. | title = Micro-spacecraft 15/10/1981 | publisher = JPL Caltech }}

{{cite journal | title = The Case for Small Satellites | journal = Acta Astronautica | publisher = International Academy of Astronautics | date = 1993 | volume = 31 | pages = 103–IN4 | doi = 10.1016/0094-5765(93)90149-Q | bibcode = 1993AcAau..31..103. }}

{{cite report | title = Technology for Small Spacecraft | publisher = Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, National Research Council | date = 1994 }}

{{cite journal | title = Affordable Spacecraft: Design and Launch Alternatives, A Background Paper | journal = Ota-Bp-Isc-60 | publisher = U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment | date = January 1990 }}

{{cite report | last = Sarsfield | first = Liam | title = Federal Investments in Small Spacecraft | publisher = RAND | date = September 1996 }} {{cite conference | first1 = A. | last1 = Mauritz | first2 = B. | last2 = Patel | title = Science-Enabling MicroSpacecraft Constellations for Mars | book-title = Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration | pages = 215 | publisher = STI (NASA) | bibcode = 2000came.work..215M }}

Category:Hypothetical spacecraft