One Way Settlement Mission

This article describes a one-way manned mission for colonization.

One-launch mission

• One launch atop an Ares V or Jupiter 232 rocket with an EDS and a man-rated version of a Direct cargo lander. The one-way lander is outfitted for use as a habitat during the cruise phase.

• After the EDS burn, the lander deploys a tether between it and the EDS for artificial gravity. The EDS is used as a counterweight.

• Upon arrival at Mars, the lander separates from the tether and lands on Mars.
• 17 missions of this type will be needed to land 100 colonist on Mars.

Criticism

With the requirement for settlement survival to develop in-situ resources, the development of propellant for a return trip seems like a very likely proposition. In such a case the one way trip does not really make sense as designing the ships for return to Earth would allow for a gigantic reduction in cost, making the settlement much more likely.

The small number of colonists that can travel this way makes the creation of the infrastructure for long term survival of the colony very difficult.

Artificial gravity may not be a requirement for the trip to Mars.