Mars Gravity Biosatellite – The Australian Entry, Descent and Landing System Hoogland, J. D, Window, A., and Morgan, R.G. Centre for Hypersonics, University of Queensland
--- Abstract --- Abstract: The Mars Gravity Biosatellite (MGB) Project is a unique international collaboration involving groups at three universities, The University of Queensland (UQ), The University of Washington (UW) in Seattle and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. The mission aims to launch a dozen mice into low Earth orbit, for a period of seven weeks. The spacecraft will be rotated to create a humane, low-stress orbiting laboratory experiencing 0.38g of centripetal acceleration, simulating the gravity level on Mars. Physiological changes in the mice resulting from the lower gravity level will provide unique scientific data and inform the planning of future human missions to Mars. The animals must be returned to the Earth safely for rapid recovery and studies by an array of Principal Investigators. The UQ Centre for Hypersonics has secured the role of providing the return capsule or 'Entry, Descent and Landing System' (EDLS) for this mission. We believe this will give Australia a valuable space capability, and a sustainable export enterprise, at relatively low cost. This paper provides an overview of the preliminary design and will be accompanied by an update on development progress. PROFILE: None Received