A Design for a Two-Stage Solid Mars Ascent Vehicle

A solid propulsion system design is being considered for a conceptual Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) as part of a potential robotic Mars Sample Return campaign. A Preliminary Architecture Assessment for a MAV is being conducted at Marshall Space Flight Center. Experts from all relevant areas are involved in a rapid design and analysis cycle to define a MAV vehicle utilizing solid propulsion. The design presented here is the solid motor propulsion concept result of the study. Whereas solid motors have been used on Mars missions in the past during descent, none have been required to reside on the surface for a period of time prior to functioning. This difference will expose the MAV to relatively extreme temperatures. Other challenges exist in designing a solid propulsion system for MAV including performance interactions with other vehicle inert masses and minimizing orbit dispersions. These considerations were examined and a preliminary CAD model of the motors was created. Along with additional pertinent inputs from other disciplines, a solid propulsion vehicle concept for the MAV is described.