One Way Settlement Mission
Revision as of 12:29, 9 May 2019 by Michel Lamontagne (talk | contribs)
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 seperates from the tether and lands 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.
Open issues
- 17 missions of this type will be needed to land 100 colonist on Mars.