A Review of Manned Mars Mission Architectures
- Paper number
IAC-08.A3.1.9
- Author
Ms. Zhen Li, National University Of Denfense Technology, China
- Coauthor
Mr. Jianping Zhou, China Manned Space Engineering Program, China
- Coauthor
Dr. Hai-yang Li, National University of Defense Technology, China
- Year
2008
- Abstract
A manned mission to Mars seems to be one of the most ambitious objectives for space exploration in the near future. It has been the subject of studies for more than 50 years and has held many scientists’ interest. The design of cost-effective and minimal-risk mission architecture is essential. This study proposes a synthesis of available technological choices in terms of trajectory (conjunction class, opposition class , Mars-Earth semicycler, Earth-Mars semicycler and cycler), propulsion (Solar Electric, Nuclear Electric, Nuclear Thermal, Chemical), mission approach(all-up mission or split mission), environment control and life support system, In Situ Propellant Production, aerocapture, abort schemes and assembling strategy options. Many current scenarios are studied and compared. Manned exploration of Mars include getting the crew and mission equipment from Earth orbit to Mars orbit, descending and ascending from the surface, and returning to Earth orbit. Areas of comparison for each of these phases include crew size, initial mass in LEO, specific impulse, transit time, surface stay time, aerobraking, number of Rendezvous and others. The mission duration and are two key parameters be cared. Trajectories with short duration and low energy requirement do not exist. So it is important to find the optimal compromise. The architecture selection is crucial to success. And it is a complex problem because decisions to reduce the cost to a manageable level must be carefully balanced against the risk to the crew. The success of the manned Mars mission will not only increase our knowledge about the solar system’s origin and history, but also expand the existence of human being in the universe.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)