Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 1998
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998heds.conf..125.&link_type=abstract
HEDS-UP Mars Exploration Forum, p. 125
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Cargo Spacecraft, Ion Propulsion, Manned Mars Missions, Mars Surface, Propulsion, Rl-10 Engines, Supplying, Earth-Mars Trajectories, Rendezvous Spacecraft, Low Earth Orbits, Space Manufacturing, Spacecrews
Scientific paper
SMI has developed a preliminary guideline for a flag and footprints manned mission to Mars. The manned mission is a split mission where the return and ground supplies will be sent on a cargo spacecraft. The crew spacecraft will leave on a high-energy trajectory once the cargo spacecraft has arrived in the prescribed orbit about Mars. The trajectory will be approximately 150-day from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to the prescribed rendezvous orbit. The crew spacecraft will then dock with the orbiting cargo spacecraft for refuel and resupply. In addition, once safely docked, the crew members will transfer to the Mars Excursion Vehicle (MEV) for transport to the Martian surface. Each vehicle will be equipped with all necessary subsystems. To facilitate the transport of a large payload from Earth to Mars, the cargo spacecraft will utilize Ion propulsion. The Ion propulsion is ideal due to the high Isp characteristics. The crew spacecraft will be propelled with high-thrust RL-10 engines. Due to the smaller mass of the crew spacecraft, the spacecraft will utilize a 150-day high-energy trajectory. The MEV propulsion will be hypergolic. This choice of fuel is due to the reliability and simplicity of use. The crew members will stay on the surface of Mars for 30-days. During the 30-days, the crew will perform a series of scientific and exploratory experiments. To broaden the astronauts range of exploration, the astronauts will have access to three Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and one rover while on the surface. The scientific experiments will consist of several soil and rock analyses as well as atmospheric study. Upon completion of the 30-day ground phase, the astronauts will return to the orbiting crew ship for return to Earth. SMI's flag and footprints mission outlines the fundamental systems and general requirements for these systems. SMI feels that with the fulfillment of these fundamental systems, this mission will be a highly desirable and potential candidate for development by NASA.
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