Venus sample return mission concept development

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) has sponsored an effort to investigate concepts for a Venus Sample Return Mission through an undergraduate team of students at the University at Buffalo. An in-depth study was conducted for the overall architecture of the mission and feasible technology that could be used to accomplish the mission objectives. The proposed architecture must return specimens of regolith and atmospheric samples to Earth or near Earth orbit. Regolith must be obtained over a sufficient area to minimize measurement bias due to their limited quantity. The lander also must accommodate a minimum payload of 50 kg while enduring the harsh environment for at least one Earth day. This paper will detail the methodology used to present a feasible design for meeting the prescribed mission requirements.