22.033 Mission to Mars Presentation of proposed mission plan http://web.mit.edu/22.033/www/ 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 1 Introduction • Team Members: Dr. Andrew Kadak; Vasek Dostal; Kalina Galabova ; Knut Gezelius; John Koser; Joe Palaia; Nilchiani Roshanak; Eugene Shwageraus; Pete Yarsky 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 2 Overview • Statement of Purpose: – To form a plan for a series of Mars missions utilizing nuclear energy, which, through technological verification, will allow subsequent capability expansion and finally for a manned mission to Mars. 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 3 Requirements and Constraints • Demonstrate feasibility of nuclear powered space propulsion • Allow safe transport of humans to and from Mars • Expand the scientific capacity of individual missions • Reduce astronauts’ radiation exposure • Deployable by near term • The technology is transformational 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 4 Mission Objectives • Total of 4 missions are planned. • Manned missions will be scheduled to reduce exposure in CGR 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 5 Mission 1 • Nuclear Powered (100–200 kWe) Mars Telecommunications Satellite 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 6 M1 Objectives – – – – High data rate communication Increase the science yield (data storage) Validate space nuclear reactor technology Validate reactor powered propulsion technology for Earth-Mars transfer. – Provide a platform for high power Mars orbit experiments (active radar) – Provide real-time orbital video and high resolution pictures 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 7 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 8 Mission 2 • Nuclear Powered Mars Surface Lander with In-Situ Resource Utilization, Sample Return, and Demonstration of the Mars Transfer System 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 9 M2 Objectives – – – – – – – – Demonstrate LEO to LMO transfer Demonstrate surface reactor operation Validate ISRU Demonstrate rover refueling operations Provide surface data link to satellite Fuel a sample capsule assent rocket Launch a sample capsule to LMO Demonstrate automated Mars orbital rendezvous – Return selected samples to Earth (ISS) 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 10 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 11 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 12 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 13 Mission 3 • Manned Mission Precursor – Development and Demonstrate Infrastructure to prepare for arrival of the human crew. 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 14 M3 Objectives - Define a robust planetary surface exploration capacity capable of safely and productively supporting crews on the surface of Mars for 500 to 600 days each mission - Define a capability to be able to live off the land - Ensure Infrastructure is operational before a crew is committed to the site 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 15 M3 Phase 1 • Launch a full scale NP ISRU Plant • Demonstrate Large Scale ISRU on Mars 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 16 M3 Phase 2 • Launch Crew Habitat Module into LEO after successfully completing Phase 1. 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 17 M3 Phase 3 • Dock Habitat with ISS • Test Habitat Functionality at the ISS 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 18 M3 Phase 4 • Ascent Vehicle and Cargo is landed on the Mars surface near Large Scale ISRU plant 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 19 M3 Phase 5 • Power Systems and Rovers are Deployed • Production of Propellant and Oxidizer Begins • Ascent Vehicle Fueled 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 20 M3 Phase 6 • Unmanned Surface Habitat landed on Mars 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 21 M4 Objectives – Land people on Mars and return them safely to Earth. – Effectively perform useful work on the surface of Mars. – Support people on Mars for 2 years or more without resupply. – Support people away from Earth for periods of time consistent with Mars mission durations (2 to 3 years) – Identify space transportation and surface systems consistent with objectives at affordable cost. 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 22 M4 Phase 1 • MTS deployed to Mars with Human Crew, Habitat, Second Ascent Vehicle, and Ground Rover 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 23 M4 Phase 2 • Human Crew lands on surface and positions habitats 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 24 M4 Phase 3 • Pressurized Rover docks with habitat 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 25 M4 Phase 4 • First Ascent Vehicle is used to send crew to LMO • Second Ascent Vehicle is fueled and remains on Mars 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 26 M4 Phase 5 • Ascent Vehicle and human crew rendezvous with MTS for return trip to Earth 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 27 M4 Phase 6 • Crew returns to Earth • Habitat and ISRU infrastructure and a fully fueled ascent vehicle are on Mars to support further, larger manned missions 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 28 Technology Fission Options Option T/W Power [MW] Isp [sec] Thrust [kN] Technology status Nuclear thermal rocket/ Bimodal (NTR) 6-10 500-5000 900-1200 100-1000 Mature Particle-Bed/Vapor Core/Liquid Core 5-30 <5000 800-1500 10-1000 Materials and Radioactivity Release Concerns Fission fragment rocket >10 <10000 1000-1e6 3000 Same as above Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 29 Technology Exotic Options Energy source Option Isp [sec] Thrust 700-800 1-2N Radioisotope powered Radioactive isotope decay heat Nuclear Pulse Rocket (ORION) fission 2000-3000 Inertial/Magnetic/Electri c confinement fusion (ICF)/(MFC)/(EFC) fusion 20,000 Antimatter Propulsion Concepts matter-antimatter annihilation 02.20.03 1,000-100,000 MIT : NED : 22.033 Technology Concerns Materials cost and availability, low power Mature but forbidden by international treaties. 10,000 kN require substantial development effort uncertain, potentially deployable in a distant future 30 Epilogue • In Conclusion: – 4 Missions planned to be completed before 2020 – Each mission builds off technology demonstrated in previous missions – Essential Infrastructure is developed and deployed on Mars to support further human exploration 02.20.03 MIT : NED : 22.033 31