SCIM

Sample Collection to Investigate Mars

BRINGING MARS TO EARTH

SCIM will embark on a breakthrough journey inspiring the world with an entirely new view of Mars. SCIM is a mission whose time has come!

Round Trip to Mars

SCIM - Sample Collection to Investigate Mars - will return the first samples of Martian materials to Earth without the complexity and risk of landing, and at a fraction of the cost. As the first round trip mission to Mars, SCIM will break new ground, and set the stage for future visits to Mars by humans.

Sampling Mars

With launch opportunities in 2018 and 2020, SCIM performs a daring high-speed atmospheric pass down to below 40 km altitude timed to coincide with seasonal Martian dust storms, collecting thousands of precious Martian dust particles from the atmosphere. After the sample collection pass at Mars, the spacecraft returns directly to Earth, where its precious, sterilized samples descend by parachute to the ground.

SCIM journey to Mars
SCIM will journey to Mars and perform a high-speed atmospheric pass collecting Martian dust particles. With its precious cargo onboard, SCIM will return the samples to Earth for detailed analysis in advanced technology laboratories.

2018 Mission Profile

Launch (April 15, 2018)

  • C3=10.4 km2/sec2

Mars Encounter/Aeropass (October 1, 2018)

  • Ls=260° (near Mars’ perihelion – dust storm season)
  • Altitude of Closest Approach = 37 km, Latitude=7 deg.
  • Velocity at Closest Approach = 6.4 km/s

Earth Return Maneuver (August 13, 2019)

  • Delta V=1500 m/sec

Earth Return (July 4, 2020)

  • Velocity of Entry=11.8 km/sec

2020 Mission Profile (Preliminary)

Launch (July 26, 2020)

  • C3=19 km2/sec2

Mars Encounter/Aeropass (June 19, 2022)

  • Ls=250° (near Mars’ perihelion – dust storm season)
  • Altitude of Closest Approach = 37 km, Latitude=-28 deg.
  • Velocity at Closest Approach = 6.22 km/s

Earth Return Maneuver (August 3, 2022)

  • Delta V=966 m/sec

Earth Return (February 1, 2023)

  • Velocity of Entry=11.75 km/sec