Lockheed Martin Space Systems won a preliminary design and concept study start-up contract from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Mars Science Laboratory aeroshell system.

Lockheed Martin will design and build the aeroshell system, which includes the composite load carrying structure and the thermal protection system. The aeroshell is a blunt- nosed cone that will encapsulate and protect the laboratory rover from the intense heat and friction that will be generated as the system descends through the Martian atmosphere.

Lockheed Martin and NASA must finalize the value of the contract, the company said.

Scheduled for launch in the fall 2009, the Mars Science Laboratory rover will support the Mars Exploration Program and is intended to determine whether the planet was ever habitable, characterize the climate and geology of Mars, and prepare for human exploration.