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This......is...MARS!. Logistical problems on the journey to the Red Planet. First (firm) steps. President Bush January, 2004. Promised that America will take steps toward a human mission to Mars. NASA estimates put the cost anywhere between 50 – 400 billion. Great Undertaking .
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This......is...MARS! Logistical problems on the journey to the Red Planet
First (firm) steps • President Bush • January, 2004. Promised that America will take steps toward a human mission to Mars. • NASA estimates put the cost anywhere between 50 – 400 billion
Great Undertaking • It will be our greatest scientific / engineering undertaking ever • There will be casualties • No ship can make it right now • Especially from Mars
Distance problems 18 months on surface Short hop vs. Long stay 1500 – 2000x farther away than the Moon
Packin’ on the pounds! • All the “stuff” needed weighs more than the ISS • 11,000 L H2O • 20 metric tons dehydrated food • 520,000 kilo. of supplies
Uh, Rockets? • No single rocket can get all our junk there. • We’ll need to use Ares rockets to get it into LEO, perhaps 10 or more. Ares V can put 290,000 Lbs. into LEO 1,200,000 kilos solid fuel to get off the pad
Baby Steps • Assemble rocket (Orion) in LEO… • Then go to Moon by 2025 and build a permanent settlement for training.
“You mean this sucker is nuclear?” • Mars rocket will almost have to be nuclear. • 12 months travel time • Chemical is too heavy / lb of thrust
“I gotta’ get outta’ this place!” • Greatest risk of long distance travel is cabin fever • Lots of stuff still happens on Earth • Fights with cabin mates • Capsule size of small apartment • Exercise • Boredom • Sex • Scientific Experiments • Periods of intense activity
“I gotta’ get outta’ this place!” • Jerry Linenger (Born in Eastpointe, Mi!) spent 5 months aboard MIR • Lost 65% of strength • Lost 13-14% of bone mass in strength bearing areas
Finally! • After dangerous landing, crews would find supply ships already there • Crews would need to set up permanent settlement to perform experiments, and protect them from radiation and temperature extremes for 18 months on planet
D’oh! • Astronauts might have to deal with a long quarantine time when they get back • Protect Earth from martian bugs • Protect Astronauts from Earth bugs