As of July 6^th, 2021, Rovsing together with Airbus DS Toulouse, ESA and NASA conducted a successful Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) Capture-Containment Return System (CCRS) Electrical Satellite Interface Simulator (E-SIS).

With Rovsing prior to the PDR having conducted preliminary testing of the envisioned combination of high-power components of the CCRS brazing system, Rovsing presented these analysis-, response- and performance figures at the PDR, resulting in Airbus expressing their confidence in the proposed solution and authorizing Rovsing to begin long-lead item procurement and detailed CCRS E-SIS design phase which will be concluded by the Critical Design Review (CDR), scheduled for November 2021.

Now that the NASA Perseverance rover landed safely on Mars, with the intent of extracting rock and soil samples and leaving them in sealed tubes on the surface, the road is open for the upcoming Mars Sample Return missions.

The validation of the MSR-ERO Capture and Containment Return System (CCRS) is of vital importance for sealing and securing the Martian core samples for their long journey back to planet Earth. The E-SIS will provide discrete signal simulation, acquire CCRS measurements, provide TM/TC communication with the CCRS, simulate heater supplies and provide considerable power provisions for the sample container sealing processes.

Rovsing COTS products, such as the RO-1010 SLP, RO-1100 SLP and RO-2000 MASC range of products, complimented with the Rovsing EGSE Controller SW Suite, provides our customer with a powerful tool for validating the MSR-ERO CCRS and bringing Martian soil samples one step closer to Earth.

The CCRS E-SIS is Rovsing’s contribution to the core team consortium for the MSR-ERO mission led by Airbus DS in Toulouse. The consortium was awarded back in March 2020 and following a requirement review and schedule re-baselining under an ATP the full contract of the E-SIS was signed late February 2021.

For more information about Rovsing’s Turn-key System Solutions or other products and services, please contact us at info@rovsing.dk or call +45 44 200 800.