Manned Mars missions using propellant from space

Conference · Sun Jan 10 04:00:00 EST 1993 · AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)

OSTI ID:6481474

Zuppero, A C; Olson, T S ^[1]; Redd, L R ^[2]

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1. Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415-3413 (United States)
2. Department of Energy, Office of Space, Idaho Field Office, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402 (United States)

.A recent discovery (8/14/92) of a near-earth object containing materials potentially useful for space activities could perhaps change the entire way humans access and operate in space. A near-Earth object ([number sign]4015, 1979 VA, comet Wilson-Harrington) contains water ice that could be used for space propulsion. In addition, this type of object may contain structural and lifesustaining materials (complex hydrocarbons, ammonia and/or bound nitrogen compounds) for space structures, manned planetary bases, or planetary surface terraforming. The retrieval and utilization of rocket propellant from near-Earth objects, for manned Mars missions in particular, has been investigated and the benefits of this scenario to over performing a Mars mission with terrestrial propellants have been documented. The results show water extracted from these objects and retrieved to Earth orbit for use in going to Mars may actually enable manned Mars exploration by reducing the number of Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle (HLLV) flights or eliminating the need for HLLV's altogether. The mission can perhaps be supported with existing launch vehicles and not required heavy lift capability. Also, the development of a nuclear thermal rocket for this alternate approach may be simplified substantially by reducing the operating temperature required.

• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6481474
• Report Number(s): CONF-930103--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States) Journal Volume: 271:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
AMMONIA
COMETS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ICE
MANAGEMENT
MARS PLANET
MARS SPACE PROBES
MATERIALS
MISSION ANALYSIS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETS
PROPELLANTS
RAW MATERIALS
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
ROCKETS
SPACE VEHICLES
VEHICLES
WATER