In situ propellant production - A new potential for round-trip spacecraftIn situ propellant production (ISPP) greatly reduces the Earth escape requirements for some roundtrip missions, particularly Mars Sample Return. ISPP systems are described which produce oxygen or oxygen and methane from available atmospheric and surface materials. With ISPP, a 1 kg sample can be returned direct from Mars using a single Shuttle launch. Mars entry can be either direct or from orbit. Comet and asteroid sample return is also accomplished within a single Shuttle launch. Launch requirements for round-trip missions to Ganymede and Callisto are reduced by 15 to 40%.
Document ID
19790050720
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Stancati, M. L. (Science Applications, Inc. San Diego, CA, United States)
Niehoff, J. C. (Science Applications, Inc. San Diego, CA, United States)
Wells, W. C. (Science Applications, Inc. San Diego, Calif., United States)
Ash, R. L. (California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1979
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 79-0906
Meeting Information
Meeting: Conference on Advanced Technology for Future Space Systems