Mars design reference mission

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The Mars design reference mission is a series of missions plans that have been regularly updated by NASA. The current version is no.5, with the latest addendum in 2014[1].

History

  • Version 1 1993. Based on Mars direct. 900 tonnes mission. Crew of six.
  • Version 2 1997.
  • Version 3 1998. Reduced system mass, smaller launchers. 450 tonnes mission.
  • Version 4 1998. Explored Nuclear thermal and electric propulsion variants
  • Version 5 2009[2]. Addendum 2, 2014[3]. Ares V.

Basic parameters

  • Crew of six. Long stay mission. 180 days transit times.
  • Pre deploy cargo. First phase of the mission in 2030.
  • 7 to 11 launches, 110 to 140 tonnes at LEO per launch. 10m x 30m shrouds.
  • In-situ fuel production for vehicle return.
  • Nuclear reactors for energy production.
  • Multiple launches, multiple mission phases.
  • 40 tonnes cargo to surface.
  • Long term cryogenic storage required.

References