This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
An Assessment of In Situ Propellant Production for Low Cost Mars Sample Return
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Recent concepts for returning sample material from Mars have identified many low-cost approaches. The intention of this study is to create an even playing field for comparison of alternative methods for implementing a Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission focusing on impacts from recent advances in Mars ISPP technologies and accounting for recent spacecraft performance advances. First, trajectories are presented for each of three options: 1) Mars Orbital Rendezvous (MOR), 2) Direct Entry/Direct Return using advanced propulsion (DR-AdvPrp), and 3) Direct Entry/Direct Return using ISPP (DR-ISPP). Next, an assessment of the state-of-the-art for current Mars ISPP technologies is used to compare alternative ISPP systems. Flight system designs were developed attempting to represent a consistent level of technology for all MSR options and then used to compare injected masses for the ISPP system options. The ISPP system with the lowest injected mass is then carried into a cost comparison with the other two MSR options (MOR and DR-AdvPrp). Results suggest the ISPP implementation for MSR should be considered the current baseline approach on the basis of lowest life cycle cost.
Recommended Content
Technical Paper | Absorbed Flux Predictions for Spacecraft IR Testing |
Technical Paper | NASA / SATS Life Cycle Cost Model |
Technical Paper | Improved Maintenance Practices-The Airlines' Contribution to Lower Ownership Costs |
Authors
Citation
Jacobs, M., Deal, S., German, D., and Stancati, M., "An Assessment of In Situ Propellant Production for Low Cost Mars Sample Return," SAE Technical Paper 951733, 1995, https://doi.org/10.4271/951733.Also In
References
- “Mars Sample Return - Final Presentation,” Martin Marietta (Lockheed Martin) January 19 1995
- “Mars Sample Return with In Situ Propellant Utilization,” Martin Marietta (Lockheed Martin) January 13 1995
- “Mars Sample Return Mission Utilizing In Situ Propellant Utilization,” Lockheed Martin March 31 1995
- “Mars Sample Return Mission with ISRU,” Sridhar K.R. University of Arizona 44th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation October 16-22 1993
- Personal communication Sridhar K.R. University of Arizona April 25 1995
- “The Mars ISRU Sample Return Mission Study Report,” JSC Planetary Projects Office July 1994