Phobos sample return mission

Scientific objectives and description of a mission to deliver soil sample from Phobos, the inner moon of Mars to the Earth within the launching windows of 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2005 are described. The Phobos Sample Return Mission is not only the highest science importance for the return of sample from a primitive body but provides an early testbed for the technology development needed to support a Mars Sample return Mission. The Phobos mission can be flown earlier and easier because Phobos has neither a significant gravity nor an atmosphere as Mars to contend with for landing and departure.