Current planning for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) recognizes the need for extraterrestrial resources to sustain long-term human presence and to attain some degree of self-sufficiency. As a practical matter, reducing the need to carry large supplies of propellant from Earth will make space exploration more economical. For nearly every round trip planned with conventional propulsion, the actual payload is only a small fraction - perhaps 10-15 percent - of the mass launched from Earth. The objective of this study was to analyze the potential application for SEI missions of propellants made exclusively from lunar or martian resources. Using such propellants could minimize or eliminate the cost of carrying propellant for surface excursion vehicles and return transfers through two high-energy maneuvers: Earth launch and trans-Mars injection. Certain chemical mono- and bipropellants are candidates for this approach; they could be recovered entirely from in situ resources on the Moon and Mars, without requiring a continuing Earth-based resupply of propellant constituents (e.g., fuel to mix with a locally obtained oxidizer) and, perhaps, with minimal need to resupply consumables (e.g., reagents or catalyst for process reactions). A complete assessment of the performance potential of these propellants must include the requirements for installation, operations, maintenance, and resupply of the chemical processing facility.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    In situ Propellant Production: Alternatives for MARS Exploration


    Beteiligte:
    M. L. Stancati (Autor:in) / M. K. Jacobs (Autor:in) / K. J. Cole (Autor:in) / J. T. Collins (Autor:in)

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    1991


    Format / Umfang :

    125 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch




    In situ propellant production: Alternatives for Mars exploration

    Stancati, Michael L. / Jacobs, Mark K. / Cole, Kevin J. et al. | NTRS | 1991


    Models of an In-Situ Propellant Production Plant for Mars Exploration

    Goodrich, Charlie / Kurien, James / Millar, Bill et al. | NTRS | 2001


    Ares Explore: A Study of Human Mars Exploration Alternatives Using In Situ Propellant Production and Current Technology (AAS 96-332)

    Grover, M. R. / Odell, E. H. / Smith-Brito, S. L. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    In Situ Propellant Production on Mars

    Messina, Gabriele / Vasile, Massimiliano / Davighi, Andrea et al. | AIAA | 2005


    Integrated Mars In Situ Propellant Production System

    Zubrin, Robert M. | Online Contents | 2013