Strategic planning for human missions of exploration to Mars has conclusively identified in-situ propellant production (ISPP) as an enabling technology. The Mars reference mission concept predeploys a robotic propellant production plant to the planet two years before the planned departure of the crew from Earth. The successful operation of this plant is necessary for the human journey to begin.
Mars ISPP Precursor (MIP): The First Flight Demonstration of In-Situ Propellant Production
1997-01-01
Conference paper
No indication
English