22.033 Mission to Mars

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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 (100200 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) 6-10 500-5000 900-1200 100-1000 Mature
Particle-Bed/Vapor Core/Liquid Core 5-30 lt5000 800-1500 10-1000 Materials and Radioactivity Release Concerns
Fission fragment rocket gt10 lt10000 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