Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture 5

Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture 5. 0 July 29, 2009 www. nasa. gov

Mars Design Reference Mission Evolution and Purpose Exploration mission planners maintain “Reference Mission” or “Reference Architecture” Represents current “best” strategy for human missions The Mars DRA is not a formal plan, but provides a vision and context to tie current systems and technology developments to potential future missions 1988 -89: NASA “Case Studies” 1990: “ 90 -Day” Study 1991: “Synthesis Group” 1992 -93: NASA Mars DRM v 1. 0 1998: NASA Mars DRM v 3. 0 JSC-63724 JSC-63725 Exploration Blueprint Data Book Bret G. Drake Editor NASA’s Decadal Planning Team Mars Mission Analysis Summary Bret G. Drake Editor National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Released February 2007 Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058 Also serves as benchmark against which alternative architectures can be measured Constantly updated as we learn National Aeronautics and Space Administration 1998 -2001: Associated v 3. 0 Analyses 2002 -2004: DPT/NEx. T Released February 2007 Mars Design Reference Architecture 5. 0 2

Mars Design Reference Architecture 5. 0 Forward Deployment Strategy Twenty-six months prior to crew departure from Earth, pre-deploy: • Mars surface habitat lander to Mars orbit • Mars ascent vehicle and exploration gear to Martian surface • Deployment of initial surface exploration assets • Production of ascent propellant (oxygen) prior to crew departure from Earth Crew travel to Mars on “fast” (six month) trajectory • Reduces risks associated with zero-g, radiation • Rendezvous with surface habitat lander in Mars orbit • Crew lands in surface habitat which becomes part of Mars infrastructure • Sufficient habitation and exploration resources for 18 month stay National Aeronautics and Space Administration 3

DRA 5. 0 Transportation Options NTR & Chemical/Aerocapture NTR Crew Vehicle Elements Chemical Crew Vehicle Elements Saddle Truss & LH 2 Drop Tank PVAs Trans. Hab Module, Orion CEV/SM MOI/TEI Module for TEI (1) Common “Core” Propulsion Stage MOI/TEI Module for TEI (1) Short Saddle Truss, 2 nd Docking Port, and Jettisonable Food Container Common TMI Module (3) Chemical / Aerocapture Cargo Vehicle Configuration NTR Cargo Vehicle Elements MOI/TEI Module for MOI (1) Payload Common “Core” Propulsion Stage AC / EDL Aeroshell (10 m D x 30 m L) with Interior Payload National Aeronautics and Space Administration Common TMI Module (2) 4

Crew and Cargo Transportation to LEO ARES I / ORION Crew Delivery to LEO • Provide safe delivery of crew to Earth orbit for rendezvous with the Mars Transfer Vehicle End of Mission Crew Return • Provide safe return of crew from the Mars-Earth transfer trajectory to Earth at the end of the mission National Aeronautics and Space Administration ARES V Heavy-lift Cargo to Low-Earth Orbit • 130+ t per launch • Large volume • 30 day launch centers Total Mass in Low-Earth Orbit • ~ 800 t for NTR (7 -9 launches) • ~1, 200 t for Chemical (9 -12 launches) 5

Mars Design Reference Architecture 5. 0 Surface Exploration and Discovery Long surface stays with visits to multiple sites provides scientific diversity thus maximizing science return Mobility at great distances (100’s km) from the landing site enhances science return (diversity) Subsurface access of 100’s m or more highly desired Advanced laboratory and sample assessment capabilities necessary for high-grading samples for return National Aeronautics and Space Administration 6

Human Exploration of Mars Key Challenges Landing large payloads on the surface of Mars Launch of large mass, large volumes to Earth orbit Support of humans in space for extended durations including radiation protection and low-g countermeasures Lack of resupply and early-return aborts Maintenance and storage of cryogenic fluids for long periods Production of consumables at Mars (ISRU) Extended mobility of 100’s km System reliability, system, reliability 7

Human Exploration of Mars Evolutionary Strategy Knowledge / Experience / Confidence Moon Mars via Robotics Zero-gravity countermeasures Demonstration and use of Mars prototype systems Gathering environmental data of Mars Gravity sensitive physics Large-scale systems-ofsystems validation Demonstration of largescale EDL Surface exploration scenarios and techniques Advanced technology demonstrations Long-term exposure of systems to the deep-space environment including radiation and dust Site certification Earth/ISS Long duration system performance Simulation of operational and mission concepts Long-term “dry run” rehearsals National Aeronautics and Space Administration 8