Idea Viking Derived Mars Sample Return

[Graham2001]

This might make for a challenging set of missions.

The technical feasibility of achieving automatic rendezvous and docking in Mars orbit as a part of a surface sample return mission was investigated based on using as much existing Viking '75 Orbiter and Lander hardware as possible. Both 1981 and 1983/84 mission opportunities were considered. The principle result of the study was the definition of a three stage 289 kg Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) capable of accepting a 1 kg sample, injecting itself into a 2200 km circular orbit, and rendezvousing with an orbiting spacecraft carrying an earth return vehicle.

A feasibility study of unmanned rendezvous and docking in Mars orbit: Midterm review

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19740022177_1974022177.pdf

A feasibility study of unmanned rendezvous and docking in Mars orbit. Volume 1: Summary

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19750006729.pdf

A feasibility study of unmanned rendezvous and docking in Mars orbit. Volume 2: Technical studies and results

http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19750006730.pdf