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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
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