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Preliminary System Analysis of In Situ Resource Utilization for Mars Human ExplorationWe carried out a system analysis of processes for utilization of Mars resources to support human exploration of Mars by production of propellants from indigenous resources. Seven ISRU processes were analyzed to determine mass. power and propellant storage volume requirements. The major elements of each process include C02 acquisition, chemical conversion, and storage of propellants. Based on a figure of merit (the ratio of the mass of propellants that must be brought from Earth in a non-ISRU mission to the mass of the ISRU system. tanks and feedstocks that must be brought from Earth for a ISRU mission) the most attractive process (by far); is one where indigenous Mars water is accessible and this is processed via Sabatier/Electrolysis to methane and oxygen. These processes are technically relatively mature. Other processes with positive leverage involve reverse water gas shift and solid oxide electrolysis.
Document ID
20070034966
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Rapp, Donald
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Andringa, Jason
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Easter, Robert
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Smith, Jeffrey H .
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Wilson, Thomas
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Clark, D. Larry
(Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. Denver, CO, United States)
Payne, Kevin
(Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co. Denver, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
March 5, 2005
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: IEEE Aerospace Conference
Location: Big Sky, MT
Country: United States
Start Date: March 5, 2005
End Date: March 12, 2005
Sponsors: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Mars
water
human life support
CO2

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