Investigation of Alternate Transportation Architectures for Crewed Mars Missions
- Paper number
IAC-06-D2.2.09
- Author
Mr. Matthew Simon, National Institute of Aerospace/Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Alan Wilhite, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Eammon Bemis, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Steven Hough, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Sharon Jefferies, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. David Penuela, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Rick Winski, United States
- Coauthor
Mrs. Kristina Zaleski, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
This study presents research performed to quantify and evaluate transportation architectures for Mars crewed missions. This study compares the 1998 Mars Design Reference Mission Version 3.0 to an optimally derived architecture derived from scaling the elements and technologies of NASA’s Exploration Systems Architecture Study. In addition, an architecture is evaluated that includes heliocentric orbiters, or cyclers, to ferry crew and cargo in a safe and expedient manner to and from Mars while providing a sustainable and reusable exploration infrastructure with potentially substantial mass and cost advantages. Figures of merit for the comparison - performance, safety, reliability, cost and extensibility - are defined in order for use in making cross-architectural comparisons and determining the need for additional innovative technologies. System analysis includes the selection of the “best” performance based on mission window opportunities, time of flight, and delta-V minimization. All architectures are mass modeled and sized to meet the mission requirements. In-depth analysis including uncertainty of propulsion, mass, power, habitat, and space avionics are developed to determine the best possible implementation of the novel architecture, including costing, technology development, operational schedules, and risk for meeting the Space Exploration Initiative proposed launch of approximately 2030.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D2.2.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.