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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
The Mars Intelligent Landing System (Mars ILS) is a navigation system that can peer through dust for safe and precise human and robotic Mars landing in any season and any time of day. Mars ILS combines three mid-TRL component technologies:
This task will integrate these components and demonstrate the system first in a real-time HWIL lab test followed by a helicopter field test to reach TRL6. In addition, static test data will be collected to validate models of the lidars ranging performance in the presence of atmospheric dust.
The Mars ILS enables expanded access to Mars which is a key initiative of the Mars Exploration Program. The recent Mars 2020 and the current Mars Sample Return Lander (SRL) are limited to landing in the afternoon and the low dust season, while Mars ILS enables landing at any time of day or season, greatly easing mission design constraints (more launch dates, lower entry speeds, etc). Mars ILS with its terrain relative navigation and landing hazard avoidance will enables access to sites on Mars deemed too hazardous for previous missions (crater rims, chasms, boulder fields, etc.)
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