Mars Earth Return Vehicle (MERV) Propulsion OptionsThe COMPASS Team was tasked with the design of a Mars Sample Return Vehicle. The current Mars sample return mission is a joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA) mission, with ESA contributing the launch vehicle for the Mars Sample Return Vehicle. The COMPASS Team ran a series of design trades for this Mars sample return vehicle. Four design options were investigated: Chemical Return /solar electric propulsion (SEP) stage outbound, all-SEP, all chemical and chemical with aerobraking. The all-SEP and Chemical with aerobraking were deemed the best choices for comparison. SEP can eliminate both the Earth flyby and the aerobraking maneuver (both considered high risk by the Mars Sample Return Project) required by the chemical propulsion option but also require long low thrust spiral times. However this is offset somewhat by the chemical/aerobrake missions use of an Earth flyby and aerobraking which also take many months. Cost and risk analyses are used to further differentiate the all-SEP and Chemical/Aerobrake options.
Document ID
20100029641
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Oleson, Steven R. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
McGuire, Melissa L. (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Burke, Laura (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Fincannon, James (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Warner, Joe (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Williams, Glenn (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Parkey, Thomas (NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Colozza, Tony (Analex Corp. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Fittje, Jim (Analex Corp. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Martini, Mike (Analex Corp. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Packard, Tom (Analex Corp. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Hemminger, Joseph (N and R Engineering Cleveland, OH, United States)
Gyekenyesi, John (ASRC Aerospace Corp. Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
July 25, 2010
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
E-17423
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2010 Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibition
Location: Nashbille, TN
Country: United States
Start Date: July 25, 2010
End Date: July 28, 2010
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics