This is a concept illustration how the Nasa Mars Ascent Vehicle could be launched from Mars in one step of the Mars sample return mission. Credit: Nasa/JPL-Caltech.

Nasa has contracted aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman to provide solid propulsion systems and controls for its Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV).

Scheduled for launch to Mars in 2026, the MAV will lift off along with a ‘fetch’ rover that will collect soil and rock samples prepared by Nasa’s Perseverance rover.

The perseverance rover landed on Mars on 18 February after travelling nearly seven months travelling from Earth.

To power the MAV, Northrop Grumman will leverage its STAR first and second stage high-performance solid rocket motors, the first stage thrust vector control system, and the second stage spin rockets.

Northrop Grumman missile products vice-president Rebecca Torzone said: “We are committed to helping build the rockets that will orbit the samples Perseverance collects so they can be returned to Earth.

“We play a vital role with Nasa, as we have for decades, by providing key propulsion and control subsystems in support of human spaceflight and robotic exploration missions.”

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The fetch rover will stay on the planet for approximately 18 months and collect samples and transport collection tubes to the MAV for storage.

The MAV will launch back into Mars’ orbit to rendezvous with the Earth Return Orbiter.

Earlier this month, Northrop Grumman secured the Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS) contract from Nasa.

The cost-plus, fixed-fee contract comes with a potential mission services value of $60.2m and a maximum potential value of $84.5m.