Mars Sample Return |
Mars Sample Return |
Apr 7 2006, 07:32 AM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 370 Joined: 12-September 05 From: France Member No.: 495 |
Next phase reached in definition of Mars Sample Return mission
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMJAGNFGLE_index_0.html |
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Aug 1 2007, 06:40 AM
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#2
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Dublin Correspondent Group: Admin Posts: 1799 Joined: 28-March 05 From: Celbridge, Ireland Member No.: 220 |
You can find some of my back of the envelope calculations on that question in an early post in this thread ( here )
The delta-v that you need is 4.1km/sec to from the martian surface to LMO. Assuming you're using an engine with performance similar to an ammonium perchlorate solid motor (ie an Isp of around 280), then you will need at least 135kg of fuel. You will need an actual launch shell to put it all in which would add another 10-20kg + another 30-60kg of fuel to cope with that extra initial mass. Note I've made no allowances for atmospheric mass here and that will be significant even though the martian atmosphere is not very dense. Excluding drag you are talking about an initial mass of at least 215kg to get 40kg to LMO. And finally you need a (martian) ground assembly to hold it all before launch and I've no idea how to estimate how massive that might be. |
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Aug 5 2007, 01:45 AM
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#3
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8785 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
And finally you need a (martian) ground assembly to hold it all before launch and I've no idea how to estimate how massive that might be. I would assume that the return stage would be integrally mounted to the descent stage in the proper configuration--pointy end up, propellant loaded-- before Earth departure; physically configuring it for launch on Mars in any significant way seems really risky from a technical standpoint. Still, lots of mechanical complexity needed to put the payload aboard, unless it's a simple scoop... -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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