NASA's Perseverance rover is poised to land on Mars this week, and we had the chance to speak with Adam Steltzner, the chief engineer behind the Mars 2020 mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He played a crucial role in developing the rover's innovative sample return system and is prominently featured in the upcoming National Geographic documentary, Built for Mars, which chronicles the journey of this mission. Below is our edited conversation for clarity and brevity.

ExtremeTech: Was the strategy for Mars 2020 always to utilize the Curiosity chassis?

Adam Steltzner: Absolutely. Early on, our current deputy project manager, who was previously in charge of Curiosity's flight systems, assessed what spare equipment we had after Curiosity's launch. Initially, there were no plans for follow-up missions, so he explored the feasibility of leveraging existing resources to create a mission to Mars, effectively building on the investment made with Curiosity.

ExtremeTech: Were there any concepts for Perseverance that couldn't be realized due to time or budget constraints?

Adam: Not particularly!

ExtremeTech: So, you secured everything you aimed for?

Adam: It’s uncommon for someone to ask if I got everything I wanted, so it took me a moment to affirm that I did. But yes, we achieved our goals.

ExtremeTech: What makes Jezero Crater geologically significant for Perseverance's landing?

Adam: Scientists are keen to explore Jezero Crater because it was once a lake during a wetter period on Mars, specifically landing at the delta. I learned that deltas are characterized by sediment deposits that form fan-like structures. As rivers enter larger bodies of water, their flow slows, allowing particles to settle. These deposits are excellent for preserving evidence of ancient life, making Jezero an ideal exploration site due to its wet history and clear delta formation.

ExtremeTech: The Ingenuity helicopter serves primarily as a technology demonstration, but could it assist Perseverance's mission if it operates effectively?

Adam: An aerial asset like Ingenuity could indeed be beneficial for surface operations. However, due to its design as a late addition, we don't expect it to last long on Mars. Seasonal temperature drops will likely hinder its battery life. While we hope it succeeds in demonstrating flight in Mars's thin atmosphere, we have no plans for its extended use.

ExtremeTech: Why is it important to bring Martian samples back to Earth? What advantages does Earth-based analysis offer over in-situ investigations?

Adam: The rationale is straightforward: we can conduct any desired analysis on Earth. When performing in-situ studies, scientists must formulate hypotheses and design miniaturized instruments to test them. Often, miniaturization proves impractical for complex equipment. By bringing samples back, we can leverage all of Earth's resources and expertise to conduct thorough examinations and answer new questions that arise from our findings.

ExtremeTech: Ensuring no Earth contaminants enter the sample containers must be crucial.

Adam: Absolutely, and it’s quite challenging. We've developed the cleanest hardware ever used in space. I designed the sampling system and established the cleaning protocols, which required meticulous material selection. For instance, the sample tubes are titanium coated with titanium nitride to create an inert surface that resists contamination. This is supplemented by a barrier that prevents particles larger than 0.3 microns from entering the sample area.

ExtremeTech: Did the pursuit of ultra-clean hardware introduce any unexpected challenges?

Adam: Yes! Traditional friction measurements assume a thin film of hydrocarbons on surfaces. However, removing these hydrocarbons for cleanliness resulted in increased stickiness, leading us to adjust our cleaning protocols. We initially planned to bake components at 350°C, but had to lower it to 200°C to retain some hydrocarbons.

ExtremeTech: Are two additional missions needed to return these samples to Earth?

Adam: Correct.

ExtremeTech: When do you anticipate they will arrive back on Earth?

Adam: Approximately 10 to 12 years from now.

ExtremeTech: If Perseverance detects signs of life on Mars, what evidence would be decisive in confirming it?

Adam: Evidence of ancient life may take various forms. A compelling case would involve multiple types of evidence, such as shapes resembling microfossils, and analyzing their chemical composition to find carbon residues linked to life. Geological context, like being associated with ancient lake beds, would further substantiate claims.

ExtremeTech: What do you think Mars smells like, hypothetically speaking?

Adam: I'd imagine it has a scent reminiscent of an old trunk belonging to your grandparents—dry, dusty, and a bit musty.

ExtremeTech: How far are we from colonizing Mars, and would you personally go?

Adam: I hope we remain infinitely far from colonizing Mars.

ExtremeTech: So, you believe Mars isn't a suitable habitat for humans?

Adam: Precisely. Even during Earth's most challenging periods, it has remained more hospitable than what we could ever create on Mars. Human biology has evolved to thrive under Earth's gravity, and being away from it would have detrimental effects.

ExtremeTech: What's the next transformative technology for planetary exploration?

Adam: The incorporation of commercial consumer electronics could revolutionize exploration. For instance, envisioning a setup where multiple consumer devices work collectively to enhance resilience against radiation hazards could significantly lower costs and increase operational efficiency for space missions.

For more information about NASA's Perseverance rover, tune into the documentary airing on National Geographic on Thursday, February 18, at 8 PM ET—just as the rover is scheduled to land in Jezero Crater around 4 PM ET.

Now read: - NASA Extends Jupiter and Mars Missions - NASA Begins Planning Mars Sample Return Mission - NASA Puts Its Space Rock Collection Online

Originally published at https://www.extremetech.com on February 17, 2021.