Design of a Manned Mars Mission Using IMPRESS Technology
Abstract
The objective of this creative investigation is the conceptual design of a propulsion system for a manned mission to Mars. Hydrogen and oxygen were selected as the propellants based upon their historical performance. The propellant storage system was a major consideration of the design due to the problems associated with storing hydrogen and oxygen. The most significant problems are the low density of hydrogen which requires large, heavy storage tanks and cryogenic storage of the propellants. In order to circumvent these problems, new storage techniques have been incorporated into the design of the propulsion system. Water will be stored in high strength, low density graphite composite tanks until needed. The water will then be electrolyzed into hydrogen and oxygen and cryogenically stored in high strength, low density graphite epoxy composite tanks. Incorporating these new technologies into the design significantly reduces the problems associated with using hydrogen and oxygen. Using the ideal rocket equation, a top level analysis was performed on five scenarios with different combinations of the presented technologies. Although initial calculations are positive, there are still limitations that must be overcome. Extensive testing and space qualification must be performed before these new technologies will be incorporated into a manned mission. More importantly, a manned spacecraft would be too heavy to launch from the surface of the Earth, therefore requiring that the spacecraft be constructed on orbit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA356342
Entities
People
- Lee Gentile
Organizations
- University of Colorado, at Colorado Springs