ESA Science & Technology - Marco Polo Assessment Study - Executive Summary Report

Publication date: 02 November 2009

Issue: 1
Page: 12
Year: 2009

Copyright: Astrium Limited 2009

Executive Summary of the mission study by EADS Astrium (Reference: MP.ASU.ES).

The Marco Polo Assessment Study under ESA contract led by Astrium Ltd has focused on an ESA-defined scenario, defining a feasible mission architecture for the mission and providing preliminary designs for the spacecraft and Earth Re-entry Capsule. Trade-offs have been carried out to determine the optimum launch and transfer strategy, proximity operations, and return strategy. In parallel the key-technologies for the mission have been assessed and the development requirements identified.