Difference between revisions of "Direct cargo mission"
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===Mission plan=== | ===Mission plan=== | ||
| − | * A pair of SpaceX Starships launch towards Mars on a rapid transfer orbit. | + | *A pair of SpaceX Starships launch towards Mars on a rapid transfer orbit. |
| − | * At Mars the Starships aerobrake and uses supersonic retropropulsion to achieve a soft landing. | + | *At Mars the Starships aerobrake and uses supersonic retropropulsion to achieve a soft landing. |
| − | * The ships offload a fuel production plant and a large number of solar arrays, that refuel the ships. They also unload exploration vehicles and other cargo. | + | *The ships offload a fuel production plant and a large number of solar arrays, that refuel the ships. They also unload exploration vehicles and other cargo. |
| − | * After two years on Mars, the ships take off from Mars as SSTO vehicles and return to Earth. | + | *After two years on Mars, the ships take off from Mars as SSTO vehicles and return to Earth. |
| − | * Using high velocity direct entry the ships aerobrake and return to their launch sites for re-use. | + | *Using high velocity direct entry the ships aerobrake and return to their launch sites for re-use. |
| − | === Challenges === | + | ===Challenges=== |
| − | * The flight path is unproven. | + | *The flight path is unproven. |
| − | * The re entry conditions may be too severe. | + | *The re entry conditions may be too severe. |
| − | * In situ preparation of propellant may fail. | + | *In situ preparation of propellant may fail. |
| + | *The equipment may not re-start when required. | ||
| + | *CO2 condensation on the propellant tanks must be accounted for. | ||
| + | *Landing on an unprepared site may damage the engines or the ships. | ||
[[Category:Settlement Transport Systems]] | [[Category:Settlement Transport Systems]] | ||
Revision as of 09:40, 27 May 2019
This article describes a direct cargo mission.
Contents
Non reusable cargo mission
Mission plan
- An Ares V class rocket launches the cargo on a Hohmann Transfer trajectory to Mars using an EDS (Earth Departure Stage).
- At Mars, the lander detaches from the orbital module and enters the atmosphere. It deploys a parachute, then uses retrorockets (Not mono-propellant rockets like on previous landers, but more powerful bi-propellant rockets.) to land on the surface. A crushable section, in the place of legs, cushions the landing.
- The orbital module aerobrakes into orbit to become a communication/global positioning satellite.
Challenges
- Bi-propellant retrorockets have not been tested on Mars.
- The heat-shield will have to detach first
- Large payloads have not been landed on Mars before.
This article reflects the personal position of T.Neo
Reusable cargo mission, SpaceX
Mission plan
- A pair of SpaceX Starships launch towards Mars on a rapid transfer orbit.
- At Mars the Starships aerobrake and uses supersonic retropropulsion to achieve a soft landing.
- The ships offload a fuel production plant and a large number of solar arrays, that refuel the ships. They also unload exploration vehicles and other cargo.
- After two years on Mars, the ships take off from Mars as SSTO vehicles and return to Earth.
- Using high velocity direct entry the ships aerobrake and return to their launch sites for re-use.
Challenges
- The flight path is unproven.
- The re entry conditions may be too severe.
- In situ preparation of propellant may fail.
- The equipment may not re-start when required.
- CO2 condensation on the propellant tanks must be accounted for.
- Landing on an unprepared site may damage the engines or the ships.
