No adverse effects were detected. Gary Anderson, courtesy of Steven Lindow Typical Mission Profile for a Robotic Mars Sample Return For Russia, the United States and the other spacefaring nations planning to explore Mars, a sample return mission is high on their agendas for early in the next century. These are the major features of a possible mission. This mission profile reflects current engineering designs and incorporates a set of constraints addressing planetary protection concerns. Lander is targeted to predetermined site.
Rover collects samples of rocks, soil and crust.
Pure atmospheric samples are taken. All samples are stored in canisters under near-Mars conditions. Mars ascent vehicle with canisters launches into Mars orbit. Vehicle and orbiter rendezvous. Sample canisters are transferred to sterile vault on orbiter without contaminating the sample return capsule.