MinMars/Surface Mobility

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Repository of Working Models

NONE

Baseline Surface Mobility Capabilities

  • Unpressurized
    • 2 independent unpressurized rovers on traverse, each can carry the entire crew back to base in contingency
    • Exploration radius is limited by contingency constraints and EVA time
    • Due to 2 independent vehicles on traverse drive-back constraint applies
    • This is different from the walk-back constraint for Apollo traverses which had only a single vehicle – the LRV
    • 20 – 25 km ideal exploration radius from base can be achieved for 6 – 8 hour excursion
  • Pressurized
    • 2 independent pressurized vehicles on traverse, each can carry the entire crew back to base in contingency
    • Either the camper concept or a pressurized rover can be used (we think there are advantages to the camper concept)
    • Exploration radius is limited by consumables and energy storage mass rather than contingency constraints
    • For the analysis presented here we assumed 2 pressurized rovers with a total mass of 5700 kg (nominal 2 crew)
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Baseline Surface Mobility Concept

Baseline Surface Exploration Capabilities

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Baseline Surface Mobility Capabilities

Extension of Pressurized Mobility Radius

  • Self-propelled trailer
    • 5700 kg trailer, 1000 kg chassis + drive train and 4700 kg energy storage mass
    • Trailer is self-propelled
      • Analysis shows parasitic drag results in higher mass than propelled trailer
    • Trailer is delivered to base as with logistics excess capability
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Self Propelled Trailer Concept
  • “Mars gas station”
    • Self-propelled chassis with energy storage and solar power generation is pre-positioned
    • Crew visits station with pressurized rovers and swaps energy storage (“pit stop”)
    • Can theoretically be extended indefinitely
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Mars Gas Station

Extended Surface Exploration Capabilities

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