AVANT-GARDE
Mars Transfer Vehicle Mission
Brian Carter
Zarrin Chua
Anthony Consumano
Thomas Horn
Jan Kaniewski
Brian Williams
Mike Wolfner
Overview
• General Introduction
- Historical Perspective
- Current Trends
• Problem Definition
- AIAA Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Project Requirements & Constraints
• Value System Design
- Objective Hierarchy
- Objective Priority
• Functional subdivisions
• System Hierarchy & Subsystem interaction
• Possible approaches
• Project Timeline/Future Planning
• Summary
Notable Excursions to Mars
A Historical
Perspective
Background
• Since 1960, there have been 37 missions
to Mars
• Roughly two-thirds of all missions to
Mars fail: Earth-Mars “Bermuda
Triangle”
• Majority of missions are from US or the
former Soviet Union, with recent
explorations by Europe, Japan, and
Canada.
Mariner 4
• Performed first fly by of Mars on July 14
and July 15 of 1965
• Perform atmospheric scientific
observations; orbital photographs
• Measure particle & field measurements
for interplanetary travel
[1]
Soviet Mars Program
• Series of unmanned
landers & orbiters
launched in the early
1970s
• Each consisted of an
orbiter & attached lander
• First human artifacts to
land on Mars
• Mars 2 completed 362
orbits and Mars 3
completed only 20
• Combined both probes sent
60 highly detailed
photographs of the surface
• Both Mars 2 and Mars 3
were declared lost after a
time span of about 20
seconds on the surface
[2]
The Viking Program
• Consisted of two unmanned
space missions (Viking 1 and
Viking 2) designed to
photograph the Martian
surface and land a payload to
the surface for observational
investigations
• Viking 1 was launched on
August 20, 1975 and Viking 2
on September 9, 1975
• Most detailed photos to date
taken from Viking crafts
• Used as standard Martian
information until late
1990s/early 2000s
[25]
• Lost contact with Viking 1
orbiter in 1980, lander in
1982; contact lost with Viking
2 orbiter in 1978, lander in
1980
Mars Global Surveyor
• US Spacecraft to mark return
to Mars after 20 year absence
• Launched in 1996 it
completed its primary mission
in 2001 and has entered into
its extended phase through
2008
• Surveyor first spacecraft to
use aerobraking to enter
Martian orbit
• NASA lost contact with
orbiter on November 5, 2006
[26]
• Primary mission was to
investigate surface and
atmosphere with orbital
camera, altimeter, thermal
emission spectrometer, and
magnetometer
Mars Pathfinder & Mars Odyssey
• Pathfinder launched on
December 4, 1996 intended
for ancient flood plain in
northern hemisphere
• Pathfinder’s rover Sojourner
traveled few meters around
lander to photograph &
investigate surroundings
• Final transmission sent in
September 1997 totaling
16,500 images from lander &
550 from Sojourner
• Odyssey launched on April 7,
2001 with the primary mission
to search for evidence of past
or present water as well as
volcanic activity
[27]
• Primary mission has been
extended until 2008 and
Odyssey currently acts as the
primary relay between Earth
and the rovers Spirit &
Opportunity
The Mars Rovers
• Launched in June & July of 2003, the rovers Spirit and
Opportunity’s primary mission is to investigate Martian
surface
• Originally designed for 3 months lifetime, the rovers
have been operating for 3 years and funding has been
provided to extend program until late 2007
• Considered to be most successful Mars mission to date
[3]
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
• NASA Multipurpose spacecraft
designed to conduct
reconnaissance and
exploration of Mars from
orbit
• Launched August 12, 2005
and attaining Martian orbit on
March 10, 2006
• Scientific payload includes
most advanced observational
equipment sent to Mars to
date
• Acting as primary
communication between
Rovers and other orbiting
spacecraft and Earth
• Designed to act as guide to
future missions to Mars
including manned flights
[28]
Current Trends in Spaceflight
What will the next 50
years bring us?
Overview
[29]
• Since the decommissioning of the Apollo program, mankind has
been languishing in Earth Orbit, no human getting farther than
400 miles from the surface of the earth.
• In the past 3 years, two separate events have revitalized the
space industry
– America’s renewed pledge to manned exploration
– The founding of the private space flight industry
George W. Bush’s Mars Initiative
•
In the wake of the Columbia
tragedy, President Bush
mandated a new direction
for NASA, and outlined 4
directives
–
–
–
–
•
Develop a new spacecraft to
replace the shuttle, which is
retiring in 2010
Complete the ISS by 2010
Go back to the moon by
2020
Land a man on Mars by 2030
To accomplish this, G.W.B.
is increasing NASA’s budget,
as well as reallocating NASA
funding towards these
directives
[4]
[5]
Privatized Space Flight
• While America takes the
lead on manned
exploration, private
companies will set out
to truly conquer space.
• Many private companies
are beginning to realize
the immense profits
available in space, and
are making plans on how
to get there
[6]
Problem Definition
RFP
Requirements &
Constraints
Elements & Subsystems
Request for Proposal (RFP)
• Mission Statement: A new exploration transportation system
must be developed to support delivery of crew and cargo from
the surface of the Earth to Mars and to return the crew safely to
be ready by 2028
• Mission Objectives
(1) to extend the search for life and understand the history of
the solar system
(2) to expand the frontiers of human exploration
(3) to advance U.S. scientific and technological capabilities.
• How will it be judged?
– Technical content 35 pts
– Organization and presentation 20 pts
– Originality 25 pts
– Practical application and feasibility 25 pts
Requirements and Constraints
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Transport crew and payload from LEO to Martian
surface and return crew and payload to Earth
Transport a minimum of 4 crew members
Transport a minimum of 500 kg payload (in addition
to crew) and return a minimum of 100kg to Earth
MTV shall provide habitation and life support
systems for 18 months
MTV will have the capability to conduct surface
Extra- Vehicular Activities (EVAs) for a minimum of 2
crew
MTV program shall support a minimum flight rate
capability of 1 human exploration mission every 2
years
Elements and Subsystems
• Crew transfer vehicle
• Habitation module
• Mars ascent/descent
vehicle
• Orbital, interplanetary,
and Martian landing/
take-off propulsion
systems
• Thermal protection
• Life support
• Propellant and power
subsystem
• Navigation and control
• Communications
• Radiation shielding
subsystem
• Earth landing/recovery
subsystem
• Crew safety subsystem
• Vehicle health
monitoring subsystem
Value System Design
Objective Hierarchy
List of Priorities
Best Mars Transfer Vehicle
Performance
Lifetime of Survivability
Cost and Problems
Years
Production Cost
Crew Capacity
Number of Crew Over Time
Launch Cost
Payload Capacity
Habitat
Sustainability
Lifetime
Days
Propellant
Cost
$$
Safety
Probability of
safe operation
Launch
Vehicle Cost
$$
Kg
Operation Cost
Transfer Orbit and
Landing Accuracy
Flight Rate
$$
Kg
Mass
Consumption
EVA Activity
$$
$$
EVA Missions (number of)
Fail Safety
Fail rate (λ )
Landing Error (m)
To Maximize
Transfer Orbit Error (m)
Number of Missions per 2 years
Measurement
Unit
To Minimize
OH Design and List of Priorities
• Objective Hierarchy is a diagram based upon the Needs,
Alterables and Constraints (NAC) list
• Objectives are defined and their measures linked with the
respective unit of measure
• Shows an overview of objectives and how to satisfy each
objective by the defined measures
• Quantitative Matrix method may be derived from OH
• Main Priorities
• Medium Priorities
• Lower Priorities
– Safety
– EVA Activity
– Other Costs
– Mission Success Rate
– Transfer Orbit and
– Complexity
Landing Accurately
– Habitat
– Debris
Sustainability
– Crew and Payload
Capacity
– Flight Rate
– Operations Cost
Functional Subdivisions
A detailed look into
the various subdivisions
of the Avant-Garde
project
Structures
Thomas Horn
Jan Kaniewski
Mike Wolfner
Structures
• Structures concerns
itself with the
overarching design of
the spacecraft.
• The Structures group
must build a spacecraft
to get to Mars and back,
while incorporating the
subsystems associated
with the other
subdivisions
[7]
Responsibilities of Structures
• Habitat Module
• Ascent/Descent
Module
• Launch Vehicle
• Transit Vehicle
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
Propulsion and Power
Brian Carter
Brian Williams
Propulsion
• The propulsion system has
two primary functions:
1. Achieve orbit
2. Produce a certain ΔV
• A propulsion system
consists of a power source,
mechanism to generate
thrust, and the controls
needed to stabilize the
craft under the generative
force
[12]
Power
• The electrical system needed to supply sufficient
energy to all components of the spacecraft
• Four methods of supplying power to the spacecraft
–
–
–
–
Photovoltaic
Static
Dynamic
Fuel Cells
[32]
[33]
Dynamics and Control
Mike Wolfner
Zarrin Chua
Orbits and Trajectory
[17]
• The study and determination
of a vehicle’s path through
space based on physical
limitations and mission
constraints
• Responsibilities include:
– Establishing a relationship between mission performance and
orbit selection to best accomplish the mission goals
– Develop concepts for orbit determination and maintenance
– Design the ΔV budget
– Complete an orbit design trade study
Attitude Determination and
Control System
• Determining a spacecraft’s
attitude in space and orienting it
in a specific direction through
the use of a control system
• Responsibilities include:
– Examine mission requirements to
determine required accuracies
– Quantify the disturbance torques
– Study, select, and develop
systems for ADCS
– Develop control algorithms
[37]
[38]
Entry, Descent, Landing
• EDL is the phase of flight
beginning at the
atmospheric entry point
and ending at surface
touchdown
• Possible EDL approaches
– Parachute deploy
(MERs)
– Autonomous landing
system (NASA or ESA)
– Apollo-era landing
– Aerobraking
[30]
[18]
Communications, Command
and Data Handling
Brian Williams
Anthony Consumano
Communications
• Select low gain antennas for short range
communications
– Wire antennas
– Horn antennas
• Select high gain antennas for deep space
communications
– Reflector antennas
– Phased array antennas
• Select receivers and transmitters
• Determine needed transmitter power,
data rate and broadcast frequency
[19]
Command and Data Handling
• Select on-board computer with
needed processing power and
power consumption
– Crucial for spacecraft
control and communication
– Interface with all spacecraft
subsystems
– Monitor hardware health
[40]
– Must be able to interpret
• Develop telemetry modulation
and execute commands
and transmission system
• Select or develop needed
– Provide spacecraft health
operational software
and status information to
– Software depends on
ground
complexity of spacecraft and
mission
Thermal and Environment
Anthony Consumano
Jan Kaniewski
Thomas Horn
Thermal
• Protect vital components
from temperature variations
• Heating systems
– Localized heaters
– Insulations
– Coatings
[34]
• Major issues protecting during
launch and ascent phases
• Heat dissipation
• Cooling systems
– Spray cool technology
– Radiators
– Conveyor belt idea moves heat
away from components
[35]
Environment
• Spacecraft protection from
outside sources and harsh
environment
– Radiation affects on
spacecraft and humans
– Orbital debris
– Plasma (ionized gas)
causes arching
– Magnetic fields
• Climate control for vital
instruments
• Protective coatings on
outside of spacecraft
[36]
• Spacecraft in LEO will
experience gravity torques
from Earth
– Gravity gradient is a
passive method to restore
spacecraft stabilization
• Solar flares and effects on
communications
Human Factors
Jan Kaniewski
Human…
• Human Factors is an umbrella term
covering Human-Environment interface
• Dual Term: Ergonomics
• It covers several areas of research
including human performance,
technology, design, and humancomputer interaction
• Key concerns lie in
– Safety
– Sustainability
– Efficiency
• For long term Mars presence several
environment factors become important
for success of missions and future
objectives
[24]
…Factors
• Concerns in detail with:
– workload, fatigue and
stress, situational
awareness, user interface,
usability, human
performance and
reliability, control,
display designs, safety,
working in extreme
environments, human
error and decision making
[21]
• In long duration space
environments, Biosphere
research becomes
increasingly involved
[22]
Autonomy
Zarrin Chua
Autonomy
• Autonomy needed to
relieve operator
workload
• Apollo missions used
autonomy extensively
during landing sequence
– Programs 66 & 67 for
manual landing
• Current autonomy
limited by state of
sensors and actuators
[31]
System Hierarchy
Subsystem
Relationships
Human Factors
Dynamics &
Control
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
Autonomy
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Propulsion &
Power
Structures
Cost Analysis
Environmental
Human Factors
Dynamics &
Control
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
Autonomy
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Landing
Sequence
Propulsion &
Power
Structures
Thermal/Radiation
protection
Cost Analysis
Environmental
Type of
Propellant
Human Factors
Dynamics &
Control
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
Autonomy
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Type of
trajectory
Propulsion &
Power
Structures
Propellant
Mass
Cost Analysis
Propellant
Type
Environmental
Human Factors
Dynamics &
Control
Orientation
Level of Autonomy
Autonomy
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Structures
Electronics
Housing
Cost Analysis
Propulsion &
Power
Environmental
Human Factors
Dynamics &
Control
ΔV,
trajectory
Flight speed
Autonomy
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
ΔV,
trajectory
Propulsion &
Power
Structures
Cost Analysis
Environmental
Dynamics &
Control
Human Factors
Autonomy
Required
Autonomy Required
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
Autonomy
Habitat
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Radiation,
Climate Control
Structures
Cost Analysis
G forces,
radiation
Propulsion &
Power
Environmental
Human Factors
Dynamics &
Control
Type of
landing
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
Autonomy
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Propulsion &
Power
Structures
Cost Analysis
Environmental
Dynamics &
Control
Human Factors
Autonomy
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
G forces,
sensors/actuators
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Structures
G forces
Cost Analysis
Propulsion &
Power
Environmental
Human Factors
Dynamics &
Control
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
Autonomy
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Structures
Politics,
Economic trends
Technological
Development
Cost Analysis
Technological
Development
Propulsion &
Power
Environmental
Technological
Development
Human Factors
Manned
spaceflight
design
Autonomy
Dynamics &
Control
Destination
Level of
Autonomy
Command,
Communications
& Data Handling
System Solution
(Mission to Mars)
Propulsion &
Power
Structures
Cost Analysis
Environmental
Potential Solutions
How are we going to
get there?
Direct- Reusable
• Travels to Mars in a single reusable spacecraft
– Spacecraft contains supplies for entire trip
– In-situ resource utilization possible for return trip fuel
• Travels directly to Mars with no orbital rendezvous
• Surface habitat travels with spacecraft
– Habitat may remain on Mars surface after mission
• Spacecraft is refit and reused every 2 years
– Spacecraft may need extensive overhaul upon return
– If necessary, multiple spacecraft can be built to create MTV
fleet
Spacecraft reused next mission
Mars Transfer Vehicle
Click to Start
Animation
Habitat Module
18 months later…
ISRU supplies,
etc
Direct- Modular
• Uses modular spacecraft
– Spacecraft modules discarded during mission when no longer
needed
– May require on-orbit assembly
– May have some reusable parts
– May need rendezvous in Earth or Mars Orbit
• Earth return vehicle may be separate from Mars departure vehicle
– Return vehicle may use In-Situ resources for propellant
• Mars habitat may travel to Mars separate from crew
– Most likely incorporated with Earth return vehicle
• New spacecraft needed for each mission
– New spacecraft may reuse some parts from previous mission
NewReturn
modules
used for next trip
Earth
Vehicle
Unmanned &
Habitat Module
in one vehicle
ISRU supplies, etc
Click to Start
Animation
Mars Transfer Vehicle
With Crew
18 months later…
Large Scale Exploration
• Travels to and returns from Mars on a large mother ship
– Mother ship exists for Earth-Mars transit only
– Docks with space station orbiting Mars
– Requires on orbit fueling and maintenance
• Ascent/Descent module used to travel to Earth or Mars surfaces
– Transfer vehicle fueled with In-Situ resources
• Mars-orbiting space station acts as staging point for Mars landings and
Earth returns
– Provides simultaneous docking capability for mother ship and
transfer vehicles
• Uses one or more permanent surface habitats for crew accommodations
– Opens up possibility of Mars base construction
Same
Existing
vehicle
orbrings
futurenew crew + supplies
permanent Mars base
Mars Space Station
Mars Transfer Vehicle
(mothership)
Click to Start
Animation
Ascent-Descent Module
Habitat Module
18 months later…
ISRU supplies,
etc
The Australia Approach
• Send large craft with prisoner populace to
maintain operations on the planet
• Follows Britain’s approach to Australia
G’day, mate!
Click to Start
Animation
NOT UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION
Crikey,
she’s a big
‘un!
18 months later…
Project Planning
Timeline of
Key Events
Timeline
Dec 06
Introduction of RFP
Subdivision organization and initial planning
Systems engineering period
Fall semester progress presentation
Technical design period
Letter of intent: March 07
Project Completion
Proposal delivered to AIAA Headquarters
May 07
Summary
• General Introduction
– Past and present status of Mars missions
• Problem Definition
– Introduction to the AIAA
– AIAA RFP
– Project Requirements & Constraints
• Value System Design
– Objective Hierarchy
– Objective Priority
•
•
•
•
Descriptions of the functional subdivisions
System Hierarchy & Subsystem Interaction
Possible approaches to accomplish mission
Project Timeline/Future Planning
Contacts
• Team Leader & Project Point of Contact:
Brian Carter, bscarter@vt.edu
• Structures lead:
Thomas Horn, horn@vt.edu
• Propulsion & Power lead:
Brian Carter, bscarter@vt.edu
• Dynamics & Control lead:
Mike Wolfner, wolfner@vt.edu
• Communications, Command, & Data handling lead:
Brian Williams, bwilliam@vt.edu
• Autonomy lead:
Zarrin Chua, zarrinc@vt.edu
• Thermal/Environmental lead:
Anthony Consumano, aconsuma@vt.edu
• Human Factors lead:
Jan Kaniewski, getnamo@vt.edu
Extended Information
In-Situ Resource Utilization
Fuel production plant
built for Mars mission
study
[39]
• Utilization of resources on Mars
• Can be used to produce fuel, water, food and other
items
• Critical component of most Mars mission architectures
[14]
[13]
[15]
[16]
General References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Goodson, A., J. Slough, T. Ziemba, Winglee, R. M. “Mini
magnetospheric plasma propulsion: Tapping the energy of the solar
wind for spacecraft propulsion.” Technical report, J.Geophys. Res.,
105, 21,067, 2000.
Martin J.L. Turner. Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion:
Principles, Practice, and New Developments. Praxis Publishing,
2005.
Martin Tajmar. Advanced Space Propulsion Systems. Wien New
York, Austria, 2003.
Jones, Eric M. “Apollo Lunar Surface Journal.” NASA Online.
August 2006. Accessed Nov. 14 2006.
<http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/>
Wiley, J.L. and Wertz, J.R. Space Mission Analysis and Design.
Microcosm Press and Kluwer Academic Publishers, third
edition, 1999.
Figure References
[1] <http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/image/spacecraft/mariner04.gif>
[2] <http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/image/spacecraft/mars3_iki.jpg>
[3] NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell
[4] <http://www.thespacereview.com/article/119/2>
[5] <http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/13280.gif>
[6] <http://www.intelligence-creative.com/z0163_space_ship_one.jpg>
[7] <mysite.verizon.net/res0nnid/index.html>
[8] <mysite.verizon.net/res0nnid/index.html>
[9] http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/main/index.html
[10] www.marssociety.org/interactive/art/robinson.asp
[11] <mysite.verizon.net/res0nnid/index.html>
[12] <http://nix.larc.nasa.gov/info;jsessionid=woonvix0dy2r?id=S8130492&orgid=8>
[13]< http://exploration.nasa.gov/common/images/prom_1.jpg>
[14] <http://www.users.cloud9.net/~bradmcc/GO/SpaceShipOne29S04100km.jpg>
[15] <http://www.nasa.gov/search/multimedia/>
[16] Robert M. Winglee. Mini-magnetospheric plasma propulsion (M2P2).
University of Washington: Earth and Space Sciences,
2006.<http://www.ess.washington.edu/Space/M2P2/>.
[17] <http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/gallery/artwork/>
[18] <http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/gallery/artwork/>
[19] SAAB Space. <http://www.space.se>
[20] Space Shuttle Cockpit <htttp://www.msgc.org/images/shuttlecockpit.gif>
[21] Biosphere 2 <http://www.biospheretechnologies.com/>
[22] Human Factors Testing April 24, 2001 UMD <http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu>
[23] Laboratory Biosphere for Mars on Earth Project
<http://www.biospheretechnologies.com/>
[24] Apollo Suit, NASA
<http://search.nasa.gov/centers/ames/images/content/76466main_apol
lo_suit.jpg>
[25] Carl Sagan with a model of the Viking lander, NASA
<http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?IM_ID=244>
[26] Mars Global Surveyor, NASA
<http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/image/mars_global_surveyor.jpg>
[27] Sojourner Rover, NASA <http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/pathfinderimage01.html>
[28] Conceptual drawing of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
<http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/gallery/artwork/>
[29] SpaceShipOne, Scaled Composites <http://www.scaled.com>
[30] Z. Chua, “Autonomous Planetary Landing”. Presentation to AOE 4065 Fall
2006 class. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA
[31] Robonaut, NASA JSC,
<http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/imagez/Tether%20Hook%20Wide.JPG>
[32] Fuel cell.
<http://www.cnn.com/US/9710/27/fuel.cells/fuel.cell.large.jpg>
[33] Stardust solar panels.
<http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/9902/06/nasa.stardust/stardust.st
ory.photo.lg.jpg>
[34] Solar radiator.
<http://www.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/pressreleases/2006/images/MEMS
-Radiator_lg.jpg>
[35] Spacecraft Insulation. <http://www.clavius.org/img/as11-ftpad.jpg>
[36] Solar flare comparison to Earth
<http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0608/sunprom_soho_big.jpg
>
[37] VSCMGs <http://www.ecpsystems.com/subPageImages/cmgbig.gif>
[38] Star Camera
<http://iris.iau.dtu.dk/research/ASC/billeder/kameralinselink.jpg>
CAMERA
[39] Zubrin, Robert and Wagner, Richard. The Case for Mars. New York: Simon
and Schuster, 1996.
[40] New World Consulting. <http://www.new-worldconsulting.com/PC104%20Stabilization.htm >