22.033 Mission to Mars
Presentation of proposed
mission plan
http://web.mit.edu/22.033/www/
02.20.03
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Introduction
• Team Members:
Dr. Andrew Kadak; Vasek Dostal;
Kalina Galabova ; Knut Gezelius;
John Koser; Joe Palaia;
Nilchiani Roshanak;
Eugene Shwageraus; Pete Yarsky
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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.
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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
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Mission Objectives
• Total of 4 missions are planned.
• Manned missions will be scheduled
to reduce exposure in CGR
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Mission 1
• Nuclear Powered (100–200 kWe)
Mars Telecommunications Satellite
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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
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Mission 2
• Nuclear Powered Mars Surface
Lander with In-Situ Resource
Utilization, Sample Return, and
Demonstration of the Mars
Transfer System
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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)
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Mission 3
• Manned Mission Precursor
– Development and Demonstrate
Infrastructure to prepare for arrival of
the human crew.
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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
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M3 Phase 1
• Launch a full
scale NP ISRU
Plant
• Demonstrate
Large Scale
ISRU on Mars
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M3 Phase 2
• Launch Crew
Habitat Module
into LEO after
successfully
completing Phase
1.
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M3 Phase 3
• Dock Habitat
with ISS
• Test Habitat
Functionality
at the ISS
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M3 Phase 4
• Ascent Vehicle
and Cargo is
landed on the
Mars surface
near Large
Scale ISRU
plant
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M3 Phase 5
• Power Systems
and Rovers are
Deployed
• Production of
Propellant and
Oxidizer Begins
• Ascent Vehicle
Fueled
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M3 Phase 6
• Unmanned
Surface
Habitat landed
on Mars
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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.
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M4 Phase 1
• MTS deployed
to Mars with
Human Crew,
Habitat, Second
Ascent Vehicle,
and Ground
Rover
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M4 Phase 2
• Human Crew
lands on surface
and positions
habitats
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M4 Phase 3
• Pressurized
Rover docks
with habitat
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M4 Phase 4
• First Ascent
Vehicle is used to
send crew to
LMO
• Second Ascent
Vehicle is fueled
and remains on
Mars
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M4 Phase 5
• Ascent Vehicle
and human
crew
rendezvous
with MTS for
return trip to
Earth
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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
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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)
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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
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1,000-100,000
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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
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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
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