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22.033 Mission to Mars

Presentation of proposed mission plan

http://web.mit.edu/22.033/www/

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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 safelyand productively supporting crews on the surface of Mars for 500 to 600 dayseach 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 Marsmission durations (2 to 3 years)

– Identify space transportation and surfacesystems 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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TechnologyFission 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

Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP)

Particle-Bed/Vapor Core/Liquid Core

5-30 <5000 800-1500 10-1000 Materials andRadioactivity

Release Concerns

Fission fragment rocket >10 <10000 1000-1e6 3000 Same as above

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TechnologyExotic Options

Option Energy source Isp [sec] Thrust Technology Concerns

Radioisotope powered

Radioactive isotope decay heat

700-800 1 - 2 N Materials cost and availability, low power

Nuclear Pulse Rocket (ORION)

fission 2000-3000 Mature but forbidden by international treaties.

Inertial/Magnetic/Electric confinement fusion (ICF)/(MFC)/(EFC)

fusion 20,000 10,000 kN

require substantial development effort

Antimatter Propulsion Concepts

matter-antimatter annihilation

1,000-100,000

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