Martian Outpost (eBook)

The Challenges of Establishing a Human Settlement on Mars

Erik Seedhouse (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2010 | 2009
XXXII, 304 Seiten
Springer New York (Verlag)
978-0-387-98191-8 (ISBN)

Infos

Mars Outpost provides a detailed insight into the various technologies, mission architectures, medical requirements, and training needed to send humans to Mars. It focuses on mission objectives and benefits, and the risks and complexities that are compounded when linked to an overall planet exploration program involving several expeditions and setting up a permanent presence on the surface.

The first section provides the background to sending a human mission to Mars. Analogies are made with early polar exploration and the expeditions of Shackleton, Amundsen, and Mawson. The interplanetary plans of the European Space Agency, NASA, and Russia are examined, including the possibility of one or more nations joining forces to send humans to Mars. Current mission architectures, such as NASA's Constellation, ESA's Aurora, and Ross Tierney's DIRECT, are described and evaluated.

The next section looks at how humans will get to the Red Planet, beginning with the preparation of the crew. The author examines the various analogues to understand the problems Mars-bound astronauts will face. Additional chapters describe the transportation hardware necessary to launch 4-6 astronauts on an interplanetary trajectory to Mars, including the cutting edge engineering and design of life support systems required to protect crews for more than a year from the lethal radiation encountered in deep space. NASA's current plan is to use standard chemical propulsion technology, but eventually Mars crews will take advantage of advanced propulsion concepts, such as the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket, ion drives and nuclear propulsion.

The interplanetary options for reaching Mars, as well as the major propulsive maneuvers required and the trajectories and energy requirements for manned and unmanned payloads, are reviewed . Another chapter addresses the daunting medical problems and available countermeasures for humans embarking on a mission to Mars: the insidious effects of radiation on the human body and the deleterious consequences of bone and muscle deconditioning. Crew selection will be considered, bearing in mind the strong possibility that they may not be able to return to Earth. Still another chapter describes the guidance, navigation, and control system architecture, as well as the lander design requirements and crew tasks and responsibilities required to touch down on the Red Planet.

Section 3 looks at the surface mission architectures. Seedhouse describes such problems as radiation, extreme temperatures, and construction challenges that will be encountered by colonists. He examines proposed concepts for transporting cargo and astronauts long distances across the Martian surface using magnetic levitation systems, permanent rail systems, and flying vehicles. In the penultimate chapter of the book, the author explains an adaptable and mobile exploration architecture that will enable long-term human exploration of Mars, perhaps making it the next space-based tourist location.

Inhalt

Table of contents 5
Preface 12
Acknowledgments 14
About the author 16
Figures 17
Tables 28
Abbreviations and acronyms 30
1 Why go? 37
BENEFITS OF TRAVELING TO MARS 41
Science 41
Human expansion 43
International cooperation 44
Technological advancement 44
Human performance 44
Inspiration 45
THE ROLE OF NASA 45
THE INEVITABILITY OF HUMANS ON MARS 46
REFERENCES 47
2 Interplanetary plans 48
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY 48
Aurora missions 49
ExoMars 52
Mars Sample Return Mission 53
European politics 53
RUSSIA AND CHINA 54
UNITED STATES 57
The new vision 57
American politics 58
GLOBAL EXPLORATION STRATEGY 59
3 Mission architectures 61
INTERPLANETARY TRAJECTORIES 61
Basic orbital mechanics 61
Trajectory variables 62
Trajectory options 62
Hohnann transfer trajectory 62
Oppsition trajectory 62
Conjunction trajectory 64
Conjunction trajectory options 64
Braking into orbit 64
Aero assist trajectory 64
In summary 65
DAS MARSPROJEKT 65
Mission architecture 65
MARS DIRECT 67
Mars Direct architecture 67
Medical aspects 69
Artificial gravity 69
Why artificial gravity may not work 69
Surface architecture 69
Radiation and mission risk 70
The pros and cons of Mars Direct 70
REFERENCE MISSION OF THE MARSDRIVE CONSORTIUM 71
Mission architecture 71
Mission hardware 73
Mission analysis 73
PROJECT TROY 75
Mission architecture 76
Mission parameters 78
Lift mass and launch requirements 78
Cost and timescale 79
Mission requirements 80
Living space 80
Life support 80
Medical issues 81
Surface architecture 81
EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY 82
Mission architecture 82
GLOBAL AEROSPACE CORPORATION 84
Mars transit base 84
Cycling orbits 85
Transit stations 87
Testing the plan 88
Cycler anlyzed 88
NASA DESIGN REFERENCE MISSION 88
SPACEWORKS ENGINEERING INS. (SEI) 90
Mission architecture 92
Mission parameters 94
Architecture flight hardware 94
Crew launch vehicle 94
Cargo launch vehicle 94
Trans-Mars injections stage 96
In-space propulsion stage 97
In-space transfer habitats 97
Mars Excursion Vehicle elements 99
Entry, descent, landing and Mars ascent 101
Architecture surface hardware 101
Mars surface Habitat 101
Pressurized rover 102
Architecture masses 103
Mars exploration campaign 103
Mission risk 103
DIRECT 2.0 104
Jupiter launch system 105
Jupiter-120 and Jupiter-232 overview 105
The Jupiter launch vehicles 105
Payload 106
Intergration and utilization of Shuttle-derved technology 107
Solid rocket boosters 107
External tank 107
Integration and utilization of existing technology 107
Mission architecture 107
IN SUMMARY 110
REFERENCES 111
4 Abort modes and the challenges of entry, descent and landing 112
ABORT OPTIONS 112
Free return trajectory 113
CHALLENGES OF ENTRY, DESCENT AND LANDING 114
Generic entry, descent and landing sequence 116
Exoatmospheric flight 116
Entry into Mars' atmosphere 116
Entry maneyver 116
Parachute descent 116
Powered descent 117
Touchedown 117
Why landing on Mars won't be easy 117
Atmospheric anomalies 117
Surface hazards 118
Non-redundant systems 118
Landing accunracy 118
RESOLVING THE EDL PROBLEM 120
Approach and entry to Mar' atmosphere 120
Aerocapture 120
Aerocapture challenges 121
Evolved accelration guidance logic for entry (EAGLE) 121
Aeroshells 122
Inflatable aeroshells 123
Hypercone 124
Ballutes 125
Stronger and larger parachutes 126
Supersonic retropropulsive systems 126
The Skycrane option 127
Concept of operations 127
Space elevator 128
IN SUMMARY 129
REFERENCES 130
5 Propulsion systems 131
VARIABLE SPECIFIC IMPULSE MAGNETOPLASMA ROCKET 132
Overview 132
Plasma-based propulsion technology 133
The rocket engine 133
VASIMR today 135
NUCLEAR PROPULSION 136
History 136
Nuclear thermal propulsion overview 136
Nuclear thermal propulsion technology 136
Nuclear thermal propulsion today 137
Bimodal nuclear thermal rocket (BNTR) 137
LIQUID OXYGEN AUGMENTED NUCLEAR THERMAL REACTOR 138
Technology 138
MAGNETOPLASMADYNAMIC THRYSTERS 139
Overview 139
Magnetoplasmadynamic thruster technology 139
Magnetoplasmadynamic research today 139
MAGNETIZED TARGET FUSION 140
Overview 140
Magnetized target fusion technology 140
Magnetized target fusion today 141
ANTIMATTER 141
Overview 141
Antimatter concept of operations 141
Problems with antimatter 142
Antimatter spaceships 142
IN SUMMARY 144
REFERENCES 145
6 Mars hardware 146
MARS MISSION ARCHITECTURE REVIEW 146
EXPLORATION SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE STUDY 147
ARES V 147
Design requirements 147
Ares V overview 148
Ares V core stage prolulsion 149
ARES I 149
Design history 149
Design endorsement 151
Ares I design 151
Ares I first stage design 152
Ares I upper stage design 152
Ares I avionics 153
Ares I safety systems 153
Ares I test flights 153
Nominal mission profile 153
Test flights 154
Development problems 154
Thrust oscillation 154
ARES I AND V PROPULSION 155
J-2 and J-2X history 155
J-2X concept of operations 155
J-2X hardware 155
ORION 156
Concept of operations 156
Orion module overview 156
Designing Orion 157
Orion design 157
Orion systems and subsystems 158
Vehicle overview 158
Vehicle shape 159
Vehicle materials 159
Vehicle thermal protection 159
Vehicle propulsion 160
Vehicle power 161
Vehicle communications 161
Orion's avionics 162
Environmental control and lige support system 162
Active thermal control system 162
Crew living area 163
Non-propellant 163
Parachute and landing system 163
Launch abort system 165
Orion abort modes 166
Risk assessment 168
TRANS-MARS INJECTION STAGE 169
IN-SPAGE PROPULSION STAGE 169
IN-SPACE INFLATTABLE TRANSFER HABITATS (TRASHABS) 169
Role 169
Construction 171
Systems 171
Life support 171
MARS EXCURSION VEHICLE 171
Role 171
Heatshield 172
Descent stage 173
Ascent stage 173
MARS SURFACE HABITAT 173
Life support system 173
Air 174
Biomass 175
Food 175
Thermal 175
Waste 175
Water 175
Extravehicular activity support 176
PRESSURIZED ROVER 176
IN SUMMARY 176
REFERENCES 176
7 Crew selection and training 178
CREW SELECTION 178
Crew composition 179
Crew Size 179
Crew roles 179
Crew gender 179
Crew compatibility 180
Crew selection overview 180
Selection criteria unique to Mars missions 181
Genetic screening 181
Rationale 182
Types of testing 182
Precautionary surgery 182
The appendix 182
Appendicitis 183
Sepsis 183
Medical support 183
Appendectomy 183
CREW TRAINING 184
Basic crew training 184
Pre-Mars mission-related training 185
Pre-Mars mission 186
Mars Mission training 186
Emergency training 186
Psychological training 187
Virtual environment generator training 187
Cryopreservation indoctrination 188
Hibernation familiarization 188
Bioethical training 191
ANALOG ENVIRONMENTS AS TRAINING TOOLS 193
Antarctica 193
Haughton Mars Project 193
Crewmembers 193
Environment 194
Mars Desrert Research Station 194
NASA's Extreme Environments Mission Operations Project 196
Undersea missions 196
Exploraton operations 196
Mars500 197
IN SUMMARY 198
REFERENCES 199
8 Biomedical and behavioral issues 200
BIOMEDICAL RISKS 200
RADIATION 200
Overview 200
Radiation enviroment 201
Radiation in deep space 202
Martian atmosphere 203
Radiation units 204
Biological risks 204
Stochastic effects 205
Deterministic effects 205
Early systemic effects 205
Organ function 205
Risk to fertility 205
Late effects 206
Radiation effects on DNA 206
Cancer risks 207
Central nervous system effects 207
Cataracts 208
Risks to brain stem cells 208
Radiation Exposure Guidelines 209
NCRP 209
NASA's Guidelines 209
Calculating the radiation limits for interplanetary space 209
Likely dose for Mars astronauts 210
Radiation countermeasures 210
Operations 211
Shielding 211
Radioprotective agents 213
Amifostine and Melatonin 213
Genistein 213
Radiation foreccasting 213
NASA's Space Radiation Research Program 213
BONE LOSS 214
Effect of microgravity on the skeletal system 215
Mechanism of bone loss 216
Bone composition 216
Bone cells 216
Bone homeostasis 216
Circulatory factors 216
Space radiation-induced bone loss 217
Bone loss 218
Monitoring bone loss 218
Countermeasures to bone demineraliztion 220
Pharmacological intervention: osteoporosis drugs 220
Improved calcium metabolism 221
Pharmacological intervention: synthetic bone 221
Non-pharmacological intervention 221
Vitamin D supplementation 221
Exercise 222
Low-frequency oscillations 222
Bone loss: a summary 223
MUSCLE LOSS 224
CARDIOVESCULAR CHANGES 225
Orthostatic intolerance 225
Cardiac Dysfunction 225
NEUROVESTIBULAR 226
Space Adaptation Syndrome 226
Sensorimotor and locomotion adaption 226
IMMUNOLOGICAL 226
BEHAVIORAL ISSUES 227
EXpedition stressors 227
Behavioural problems 228
Interpersonal tension and conflict 228
Psychological closing, autonomization and displacement 228
Boredom 229
Psychiatric disorders 230
Positive effects 230
REFERENCES 232
9 Voyage to Mars 234
MISSION RISK 235
PRE-LAUNCH ACTIVITIES 239
LAUNCH AND INITIAL LOW EARTH ORBIT OPERATIONS 240
TRANS-MARS INJECTION AND INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL 242
Life and death 242
Sleeping 244
Expedition clothes 245
Hygiene 246
Running to Mars 246
Preparing meals 247
Working en-route 248
External communication 249
Personal communication 249
Mission communications 249
Getting along 250
Leadership 251
Leisure time 253
Habitability 254
In-flight medical care 254
ARRIVAL AT MARS AND ORBIT CAPTURE 255
MARS ENTRY, DESCENT AND LANDING 255
Approach phase 256
Entry/atmospheric deceleration phase 256
Parachute descent phase 256
Powered descent phase 257
INITIAL SURFACE OPERATIONS 260
LONG TERM SURFACE OPERATIONS 261
DEPARTURE PREPARATIONS AND DEPARTURE 261
RENDEZVOUS, DOCKING AND TRANSFER TO EARTH RETURN VEHICLE 262
TRANS-EARTH INJECTION AND INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL 263
EARTH ENTRY, DESCENT AND LANDING 264
POST LANDING RECOVERY 264
Bone demineralization 264
Muscle atrophy 265
Neurovestibular problems 265
REFERENCES 267
10 Exploration activities and surface systems 268
SURFACE EXPLORATION 268
Exploration strategy 268
Selecting a location to explore 268
Surface exploration considerations 269
Mission schedule 269
Surface objectives 271
SURFACE SYSTEMS 271
Power generation and storage 271
Concept of operations 271
Design 273
Extravehicular activity 273
Bio-Suit 275
Bio-Suit instrumentation 275
Life support systems 277
Life support system challenges 277
Choice of system 277
Life support system functions 277
Life support requirements 279
Surface habitat 280
Inflatable structures 280
TransHab project 281
Inflatable structurex in Antrarctica 282
Surface endoskeletal inflatable module 282
In-situ resource utilization 283
Sabatier process 284
Carbon dioxide electrolysis 284
Surface mobility 284
Robotic rovers 284
Pressurized rovers 284
MARTIAN COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION CAPABILITIES 286
Communications overview 286
Surface-based communication network: concept of operations 286
Communication and navigation services 286
Mobile exploration system 286
Mars communication terminals 287
Mars to Earth communication: concept of operation 288
Descent and landing navigation capability 288
Surface mobility navigation capabolity 289
Radiometric time architecture 289
Surface communication systems 289
Surface wireless mesh networking 289
REFERENCES 290
11 Extreme EXPeditionary Architecture 291
MOBILE, ADAPTABLE SYSTEMS FOR MARS EXPLORATION 291
Revolutionary exploration objectives 292
Extreme EXPeditionary Architecture background 292
EXP-ARCH VEHICLE DESIGN CONCEPTS 293
Design principles 293
Initial conceptual designs 293
Final vehicle design: MSR Scorpion 294
MSR Scorpion exterior design 294
MSR drive train and underside features 296
MSR Scorpin interior design 296
Final vehicle design: Mini Rover 297
RADIATION AND SHELTER STRATEGY 298
ADVANCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS 298
Thermo-sets 298
Three-dimensional braided fabrics 300
BIOINSPIRED ENGINEERING OF EXPLORATION SYSTEMS 300
Gecko-tech 301
Geckos 301
Entomopters 301
Flying on Mars 301
Entomopter hardware 302
Concept of operations 302
Biomorphic explorers 303
Sample Biomorphic missions: imaging and site selection 303
Sample Biomorphic missions: surface experiments 303
Sample Biomorphic missions: aerial reconnaissance 303
Sample Biomorphic missions: local and regional sample return 304
Sample Biomorphic missions: deployment to the ice cap 304
Yabbies 304
REFERENCES 305
Epilogue 306
Glossary 308
Earth Orbit Rendezvous 308
Escape Velocity 308
Human-Rating Requirements 308
Inclination, Periapsis and Apoapsis 309
Interplanetary Trajectory and Transfer Orbits 309
Liquid Propellants 309
Low Earth Orbit 309
Orbit Perturbations 310
Orbital Maneuvers 310
Orbital Mechanics 310
Reynolds Number 310
Rocket Propulsion 310
Space Architecture 310
Spacific Impulse 311
Technology Readiness Levels 311
Thrust 312
Trans Earth Injection 312
Trans Mars Infection 313
Index 314

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Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 11.4.2010
• Reihe/Serie: Space Exploration
• Reihe/Serie: Space Exploration
• Reihe/Serie: Springer Praxis Books
• Reihe/Serie: Springer Praxis Books
• Zusatzinfo: XXXII, 304 p. 84 illus., 30 illus. in color.
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Astronomie / Astrophysik
• Themenwelt: Technik ► Fahrzeugbau / Schiffbau
• Themenwelt: Technik ► Luft- / Raumfahrttechnik
• Schlagworte: Adaptable and transformable space mission architecture • Human settlement on Mars • Interplanetary mission • Martian colonies • Martian exploration • Mission to Mars • Planet • the Red Planet
• ISBN-10: 0-387-98191-8 / 0387981918
• ISBN-13: 978-0-387-98191-8 / 9780387981918