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Space Frontier Foundation - Mars Headquarters
Comparing NASA and ESA Cost Estimating Methods for Human Missions to Mars
Redefining The Mars Sample Return Mission
Micheels, Kurt Anthony1 (1998)
An RLV/ Shuttle Compatible Habitation System
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In: Proceedings of The Founding Convention of the Mars Society, edited by Zubrin, RM, and Zubrin, M. Univelt, Incorporated.
The non-availability of Heavy Lift Launch Vehicles mandates use of the Shuttle or proposed RLV to transport material for human exploration to LEO. Current Mars exploration scenarios make use of landers and habitats compatible only with HLLV’s. The size of the Habitat elements prevents economical delivery to polar test sites or practical use in other terrestrial extreme environments.
A study of technologies was conducted regarding deployment of habitats capable of transport via LC-130H Antarctic logistics aircraft or integration with a robotic lander vehicle with launch to LEO via shuttle or RLV. The result was a logistics support module capable of functioning as an inflatable deployment system. The module design enables Mars landing and surface transport via a robotic rover and facilitates establishment of a surface base derived from the current Mars reference mission.
The module may also be adapted as a deployment system for an inflatable interplanetary habitat integrated with a dedicated transit vehicle.
This paper presents a proposal for a Human Mars Exploration Mission based on the inflatable deployment system and demonstrates how such a system may be derived from Mars Direct/Semi-Direct mission plans.
1 - Surface Extreme Environment Dwelling Systems, 357 Boardman St., #2, Auburn, California 95603 email or homepage
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