Evaluation of Applications of ESAS Cargo Launch Vehicle to Manned Mars Mission
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Author(s)
Simon, Matthew
Wilhite, Alan W.
Young, James J.
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Abstract
This paper reports on an investigation of possible Launch and Trans-Mars Injection options using the
Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) Cargo Launch Vehicle (CaLV) and Earth Departure Stages
(EDS) for crewed Mars missions The purpose of such an investigation is to characterize some of the potential
challenges and technological needs for modifying the present lunar architecture for transport to Mars. An
analysis was performed to provide a relationship between the payload placed in orbit, usable propellant
available in orbit, and the required propellant to perform the Trans-Mars Injection. This relationship was
used to investigate several payload manifests and launch strategy options and to perform some trades to
identify advantageous launch solutions. The Mars Design Reference Mission from 1998 was used to provide a
representative Mars payload and mission architecture for the study. It was found that 6 and 5 launch
solutions are possible without the implementation of any new technologies. It was also found that adding the
ability to efficiently transfer propellants between Earth Departure Stages and developing boil-off elimination
technologies improves performance to 4-launch solutions. Further reduction of launches exceeds constraints
on the launch vehicle such as payload capacity and height constraints.
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Date
2006-09
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Text
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Paper
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