The mission architecture for the ESA/NASA Mars sample return mission is becoming clear. As the spacecraft approaches Mars, it will break into an entry vehicle and an orbiter (from ESA). The entry vehicle will land and the samples will be loaded onto it by rover or helicopter.

It will then launch into Mars orbit to rendezvous with the ESA orbiter and deliver the samples. The ESA orbiter will then burn for Trans Earth Injection and coast to Earth.

Once it hits the atmosphere, it will decelerate rapidly in a blaze of fire before slowing to subsonic speed and deploying its parachutes.

At this point, the United States Air Force will scramble an elite F22 Raptor squadron and shoot it down for being a Martian Spy Capsule.

jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia25338-n…

NASA's Mars Helicopters: Present, Future, and Proposed

This illustration depicts three different of models of NASA's solar-powered Mars helicopter.

^{NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)}