Mars Science Instrument Development - The main objective of MIDP (Mars Instrument Development Project) is to develop ground demonstrated miniature instruments that are at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 into space qualifiable hardware (6); ready for response to Mars missions Announcement of Opportunity (AO).
Most of the existing instrument R&D programs (e.g., PIDDP) only support up to breadboard level (TRL 3, 4) and there is a need to carry such instruments to flight qualifiable status to respond to flight AO. Often the flight AO has only limited time and financial resources, and can not afford such hardware development processes. Thus the aim of the MIDP task is to bridge the existing gap between instrument R&D programs and hardware requirements for flight programs.
All the instruments being developed under MIDP have been selected through a highly competitive NRA process, and employ state-of-the-art technology. For example, 16 Instruments and 11 Instruments have been selected in FY 2002 and 2003 respectively (ROSS 2002 and 2003). Working with PIs, JPL has been managing the MIDP tasks since September 1998. When matured, the MIDP instruments will significantly enhance Mars Exploration capability.
Depending on instrument maturity, Mars Technology Program will arrange integration of instruments with an available rover (K9 Rover, FIDO, Rocky 7 or Rocky 8) and test in a Simulated Environment.
Point of Contact: Sam Kim
