The Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission is a bold plan to return precious samples like rocks and soil from Mars without human intervention. Part of this plan is the STA (Sample Transfer Arm), a 2.5m long robotic arm that is responsible for loading the Mars surface sample tube onto the rocket to bring it to Earth.
The MSR plan is a joint mission between NASA and the European space agency ESA, and STA is prepared by ESA. According to ESA, this robot arm is autonomous and is equipped with sensors, two cameras, and a gripper for lifting and storing sample tubes.
On Mars, NASA’s Perseverance rover is currently collecting samples, putting the tubes in the vehicle or leaving them on the ground. STA retrieves these tubes and stores them in the vehicle. In addition to taking them out of the Perseverance vehicle, Ingenuity-class helicopters pick up those dropped nearby on the ground. It’s a great mission that can’t be accomplished if all the equipment doesn’t function properly.
In the newly released video by ESA, this robot arm picks up a tube containing a Mars surface sample from the NASA sample recovery lander, changes the way it holds the tube using the side of the lander, and puts it in a capsule inside the NASA vehicle. A series of operations must be performed to process the most important geological samples. Afterwards, it is launched into space and joins the ESA Earth Return Orbiter.
NASA and ESA plan to launch an Earth return Orbiter in 2027 and a sample recovery Lander in 2028. The sample will reach Earth in 2033 for further analysis. Related information this placecan be found in
