"ESA's Innovative Mars Orbit Strategy: Exploring New Frontiers"
The European Space Agency (ESA) is exploring the possibility of using aerocapture, a technique that utilizes atmospheric drag instead of propellant, to put a spacecraft into orbit around Mars. While aerocapture has been studied for decades, it has never been attempted in a scientific mission. ESA has funded two teams to design spacecraft that use a feasible aerocapture system, with the aim of gaining confidence in the technique for future missions. If successful, this could reduce the amount of propellant needed and cut down on cruise time for spacecraft traveling to other planets with atmospheres.