!['McMurdo' Panorama from Spirit's 'Winter Haven'. Credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/491831_b0dc75ada70a43fdae324aaaab7bd94c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_267,h_118,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/491831_b0dc75ada70a43fdae324aaaab7bd94c~mv2.jpg)
![LifeSprings Mars Logo](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/491831_9922132c77b249d4bf05f145bc0bd3c9~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_110,h_64,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/491831_9922132c77b249d4bf05f145bc0bd3c9~mv2.png)
LifeSpringsMARS
The Mission
Click on the image to learn more about our mission aims:
![Sample collection locations](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/491831_41144d7c32f7440fbdc5be0854a94ba1~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_172,h_76,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/yellow%20dots.png)
Sample Return Mission Architecture
LifeSpringsMars utilises a novel light-and-nimble, low-cost mission architecture in which sample return can be completed via a single launch from Earth. A dual deployment after launch will send the Sample Retriever Satellite into deep space at the Mars-Sun L1 Lagrangian Point. A second component will deploy the surface payload to the surface of Mars, consisting of the sampling rover and/or helicopters, the sample relay CubeSat, and the ascent rocket. Collected samples transferred into the CubeSat will be launched into deep space via a Mars Ascent Rocket for rendezvous with the Sample Retriever Satellite, which will then swing by Mars and return to Earth for sample return to the Australian desert.​
![LifeSprings Mars mission architecture](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/491831_a7155771e95c4606817db7c38bf8907d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_881,h_433,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/mission%20architecture_edited.jpg)