Mission concepts
This article collects different mission concepts for a manned mission to Mars. The purpose is to compare the concepts and point out the differences. The financial aspect is in focus.
Contents
Direct cargo mission
A direct cargo mission will be vital in the Unmanned setup of a whole settlement of a colony, in resupplying an Earth-supported colony, and delivering repair parts to a semi-autonomous colony.
Financial expenditure
The cost of the mission depends on the cost of transportation plus the cost of the cargo. The cost of transportation varies widely depending on if the infrastructure/vehicles is recovered or expended.
Colonization mission
A type of one-way mission for colonization, utilizing a man-rated version of the direct cargo mission. This type of mission may no longer be relevant, as technology should provide return capabilities to colonization, or Settlement, missions.
Financial expenditure
The cost of the mission depends on the cost of transportation plus the cost of life support. The cost of transportation varies widely depending on if the infrastructure/vehicles is recovered or expended.
Manned resupply mission
A two-way manned mission to resupply a semi-autonomous colony or a manned outpost. With the advent of self navigating ships, this type of mission may no longer be relevant.
Financial expenditure
Phobos boost mission-article in development
An unmanned mission to the moon Phobos, using a VASIMR drive to slowly spiral it out into a higher orbit.
Financial expenditure
Mars Direct
A plan by Robert Zubrin, the head of the Mars society, to send people to Mars and back. This was designed to lower costs, increase the exploration time on Mars, and improve safety.
Financial expenditure
Mars for less
Basically Mars Direct, but with the parts broken up so that they can be launched on Medium Lift Launch Vehicles (MLLVs), such as the Ariane V, Delta IV and Proton. Zubrin also suggested a Mars mission using Falcon Heavies & Falcon 9 space craft. [1]
Financial expenditure
Aldrin cycler
Mission architecture by second person to walk on the moon, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, to have a habitat, a cycler, in a continuous orbit between Mars and Earth.[2]
Financial expenditure
SpaceX Starship
SpaceX plans to start sending it's Starship vehicle to Mars on a automated cargo mission as soon as 2022, with a first human mission in 2024.
